WSR 25-23-016

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

SECRETARY OF STATE

[Filed November 7, 2025, 10:16 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Random signature verification compliance on ballot return envelopes.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 29A.04.611.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The purpose for this proposal is to establish rules for procedure in conducting random signature verification compliance checks to verify signature verification on ballot return envelopes is being completed in accordance with the standards in chapter 434-261 WAC.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dave Piersma, P.O. Box 40229, Olympia, WA 98504-0229, phone 360-902-4172, fax 360-664-4619, email dave.piersma@sos.wa.gov, website sos.wa.gov/elections; or Victoria Donahue, P.O. Box 40229, Olympia, WA 98504-0229, phone 360-725-5788, fax 360-664-4619, email victoria.donahue@sos.wa.gov, website sos.wa.gov/elections.

November 7, 2025

Amanda Doyle

Chief of Staff