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 |
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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.