Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government, Elections & Information Technology Committee

HB 2614

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 Summary of Bill

Allows a nonoverseas or service voter who submits a ballot electronically, to submit a signed declaration to the county auditor before certification.
Requires the county auditor to provide notice by mail and telephone for returning a signed declaration to any nonoverseas or service voter who submits a ballot electronically.

Background:

All ballots must be received or postmarked by 8 p.m. on the day of the primary or election in order to be tabulated. Ballots must include a signed and dated ballot declaration that the voter is qualified to vote and has not voted in another jurisdiction for the same election. If a voter neglects to sign the declaration, the auditor must send the voter notice by mail, as well as by telephone if the voter has not responded to the mailing or if the unsigned ballot is received within three days of the last certification board meeting.

Overseas and service voters may return a voted ballot and the signed declaration by fax or electronic mail (e-mail). As long as the ballot is returned by 8 p.m. on the day of the primary or election, the ballot will be counted. Other voters also may return a voted ballot and the signed declaration by fax or e-mail. However, the ballot would not be counted unless the hard copy of the ballot and declaration is received by the county auditor before the date of certification.

Summary of Bill:

A voter, other than an overseas or service voter, who returns a ballot electronically may return a signed declaration to the county auditor up to the certification date. The county auditor must provide notice to a voter who returns a ballot electronically in the same manner as a voter who returns an unsigned ballot.