PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Registering voters with nontraditional addresses, special absentee ballots, and preliminary abstract of votes.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 29.04.080.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: A new section on registering voters with nontraditional addresses is needed to provide consistency among local election officials. The definition of special absentee ballots is out of date and needs eliminate (WAC 434-208-010(8)), and the provisions for examination of preliminary abstract of votes need updated (WAC 434-262-010 and 434-262-020).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Rules are developed in coordination with local election administrators.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Bill Huennekens, Policy Analyst, Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, P.O. Box 40229, Olympia, WA 98504-0229, bhuennekens@secstate.wa.gov, phone (360) 902-4169, fax (360) 586-5629.
March 18, 2003
Steve Excell
Assistant Secretary of State