BILL REQ. #:  H-1146.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/14/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to placement of ballot drop boxes; and adding a new section to chapter 29A.40 RCW.

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 institution of higher education, including one at each branch 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. "Institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in RCW 28B.10.016.
     (2) 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 institution of higher education 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.
     (3)(a) 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:
     (i) 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
     (ii) A description of the methods used to inform voters of the location of the ballot drop boxes.
     (b) The secretary of state shall compile the information obtained in (a) of this subsection and provide it in a report to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2013.