Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
HB 1443
Brief Description: Updating the process for online voter registration by allowing voter applicants to provide the last four digits of social security number for authentication.
Sponsors: Representatives Low, Christian, Abbarno, Chapman, Ormsby, Eslick, Gregerson and Pollet; by request of Secretary of State.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Permits people to register to vote online by providing the last four digits of their social security number, and permits them to submit a signature image to the Secretary of State (Secretary).
  • Permits people to register to vote online with a tribal identification card without regard for whether the Secretary can obtain their signature from the federal government or the tribe, and permits them to provide a signature image to the Secretary.
  • Requires people who register to vote online to confirm their United States citizenship and review the registration oath online as part of the registration process.
Hearing Date: 1/27/23
Staff: Jason Zolle (786-7124).
Background:

Voter Registration.

The Governor and Secretary of State (Secretary) designate certain state agencies to provide voter registration services.  These designated agencies provide voter registration services for employees and the public in each office of the agency.

 

Applicants registering to vote must submit an application with their name, residential address, and date of birth, and they must check a box confirming their United States citizenship.  The applicant must also sign the application to attest to the truth of the information provided.

 

An applicant may register to vote online if the applicant has a Washington driver's license or state identification card.  The Secretary must obtain a digital copy of the driver's license or identification card from the Department of Licensing.  An applicant may also register online if they have a valid tribal identification card if the Secretary can obtain a copy of their signature from the federal government or the tribe.
Summary of Bill:

An applicant may register to vote online by providing the last four digits of their social security number, and they may submit a signature image to the Secretary.

 

An applicant may register to vote online with a tribal identification card without regard for whether the Secretary can obtain their signature from the federal government or the tribe, and they may provide a signature image to the Secretary.

 

An applicant who registers to vote online must confirm their United States citizenship by reviewing the registration oath online as part of the registration process.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 15, 2024.