FINAL BILL REPORT
EHB 1507
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. |
C 300 L 17
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Enhancing election reconciliation reports.
Sponsors: Representatives Holy and Hudgins.
House Committee on State Government, Elections & Information Technology
Senate Committee on State Government
Background:
Each county auditor conducts all elections within the county and is responsible for processing ballots. The county canvassing board certifies election results 14 days after a primary or special election and 21 days after a general election.
An election reconciliation report must be prepared by the county auditor and submitted at the time of the election certification. The county auditor must make the report available on the auditor's website. The report must contain data including:
the number of registered voters;
the number of ballots issued, received, counted, and rejected, including provisional, federal write-in, and overseas ballots; and
the number of voters credited with voting.
Summary:
County reconciliation reports must include information on the number of election ballots electronically sent, received, and rejected. The county reports also must provide information on the reasons for ballot rejections.
Each county auditor must submit the election reconciliation report to the Secretary of State (Secretary). Within two months after the last county's election results are certified, the Secretary must prepare a statewide reconciliation report and publish it on the Secretary's website.
The statewide report must provide a comparison among counties on the rates of votes received, counted, and rejected for all ballots, including provisional, write-in, overseas ballots, and ballots transmitted electronically. The comparison data may include rankings or percentages to measure performance and trends.
The statewide report also must include an analysis of the data that can be used to gain a better understanding of election administration and policy. The analysis should combine dates over multiple years to provide broader comparisons and reveal trends of voter registration, turnout, and ballot counting. National election statistics must be incorporated into the report to the extent available.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 98 | 0 | |
Senate | 49 | 0 |
Effective: | July 23, 2017 |