WSR 97-12-039

EMERGENCY RULES

SECRETARY OF STATE

[Filed June 2, 1997, 10:37 a.m.]

Date of Adoption: June 2, 1997.

Purpose: To allow county auditors to be exempted from submitting voter registration signature cards if certain requirements are met.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 20.04.080 and 29.07.120.

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Reasons for this Finding: Adoption of the WAC allows county auditors to enter into interlocal agreement with the Secretary of State in time for the upcoming initiative cycle in July. Permanent filing/adoption of the rule will be on June 30, 1997. This emergency rule only allows the work to begin sooner.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

June 2, 1997

Donald F. Whiting

Assistant Secretary of State

NEW SECTION

WAC 434-24-065 Exemption of transmittal of signature cards to the secretary of state. Pursuant to the requirements of RCW 29.07.120, a county auditor shall be exempted from transmitting voter registration cards required by RCW 29.07.090 and 29.10.100, by providing the secretary of state access to electronic voter registration and electronic voter signature information, provided that access to the electronic data shall meet the specifications defined by the secretary of state and agreed to by the county auditor through interlocal agreement. If access to the electronic data is suspended by the county auditor, the county auditor shall provide a complete alphabetical copy of all voter registration records in that county. The records shall contain the voter's name, date of registration, voter registration number, and a facsimile of the voter's signature. The office of the county auditor shall pay for all costs incurred by the secretary of state in reestablishing a voter registration card file system.