READ FIRST TIME 02/14/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to placement of ballot drop boxes; adding new sections to chapter 29A.40 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 29A.40 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each county auditor or other local election official must place at least one ballot drop box at each public college and university, the branch campuses of Washington State University and the University of Washington, and the main campuses of each public community college and technical college. This requirement is waived if the county already has a ballot drop box within one mile of the campus. Ballot drop boxes may be placed inside a building or outdoors, and must be in place at least eighteen days before the next general election. The administration or an associated student body association may assist with funding the ballot drop boxes provided under this section.
     (2) The county auditor or election official may install a ballot drop box on any campus, in addition to those required in subsection (1) of this section, if the administration or an associated student body association commits to jointly funding the installation of the ballot drop box.
     (3) Each county auditor or local election official shall establish and maintain an advisory committee that includes a representative from the Washington student association and a representative from the administration and student government associated with each public college, university, community college, and technical college located in that county. The committee shall assist election officials by:
     (a) Identifying locations for the ballot drop boxes that will maximize accessibility to students; and
     (b) Developing an outreach plan that identifies other means to promote students' voting by use of the ballot drop boxes.
     (4) The requirements of this section do not apply to Western Governors University, which is an online university.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 29A.40 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Within ninety days of the effective date of this section, each county auditor or local election official shall provide a report to the secretary of state's office that includes the following information:
     (a) The number, type, and location of the county's ballot boxes, including those permanently installed and those installed on a temporary basis in the periods immediately preceding an election; and
     (b) A description of the methods used to inform voters of the location of the ballot drop boxes.
     (2) The secretary of state, in consultation with county auditors and county election officials, shall compile the information listed in subsection (1)(a) of this section and develop and implement a plan to provide voter access to drop boxes in every county.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 29A.40 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) County auditors, local election officials, and the secretary of state must consider Indian reservations, especially those in remote locations, when identifying ballot drop box locations or developing proposals for the placement of ballot drop boxes.
     (2) Any person who tampers with or destroys a ballot drop box is subject to a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars. The civil penalty imposed in this section is in addition to any other penalties authorized by law.