Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government, Elections & Information Technology Committee

HB 1468

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning voter registration.

Sponsors: Representatives Manweller, Fitzgibbon, Griffey, Hudgins, Jinkins, Haler, Riccelli, Kilduff, Pollet and Doglio; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Changes the voter registration deadline for all methods of registration to 11 days before an election or primary.

  • Changes the deadline for updating a voter registration to 28 days before an election or primary.

  • Directs the transfer of a voter's residential information through the new state voter registration database, when such function becomes operational.

Hearing Date: 2/3/17

Staff: Sean Flynn (786-7124).

Background:

Any eligible voter must register in order to vote in any primary, special, or general election. To be eligible to vote in an election, a voter must submit his or her registration application online or by mail no later than 29 days before the election date. A voter may also register in person at his or her county auditor's office no later than eight days before the election date.

A person may update his or her registration at least 29 days before an election for the change to be effective for that election. A voter who does not transfer his or her residential information by that deadline may still vote according to his or her previous address.

Summary of Bill:

The deadline to register to vote is changed to 11 days before the date of an election or primary. This deadline includes all forms of voter registration, including in-person, mail, and online registration methods.

The deadline for updating a voter registration is changed from 29 to 28 days. An updated registration that changes a voter's residence from one county to another is transferred through the state voter registration database, when such functions become operational.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2017.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.