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Election-reform measures passed this year by the
Legislature
House and Senate already addressed concerns raised by
Chelan County judge in governor’s race
June 6, 2005
OLYMPIA — Today’s ruling in Chelan County Superior County
rejected Republican attempts to change the results of last fall's gubernatorial
election, but the trial did highlight a number of flaws in an election system
that should be as flawless as is humanly possible. One important point that
Judge John Bridges did not mention in his findings, however, and that most
citizens may not yet realize, is that the 2005 Legislature earlier this year
passed the most sweeping package of election-reform laws in state history,
enacting legislation that addresses every potential problem highlighted by the
judge. The election-reform package was signed into law last month by Gov.
Christine Gregoire and will be in effect in all future Washington elections.
“We knew going into the session that we had serious problems that had to be
addressed,” said Rep. Kathy Haigh (D—Shelton) who is chair of the House State
Government Operations and Accountability Committee. “The election-reform
measures that were passed by the Legislature this year were drafted with the
input of voters, citizens’ groups, Secretary of State Sam Reed, and election
officials from all over the state. Voters can be sure that this is not a problem
that is going to be ignored.
"The point in this and everything we do here should be continuous improvement.
Toward that end, the most important thing we did was give the secretary of state
both the authority and the funding to do performance audits of every county's
elections office every three years. That's how we'll get the information we need
to make good decisions in this ongoing process."
The bill Haigh refers to (HB
1749) and another House bill both aim to add greater accountability to
the election process.
•
House Bill 1749: (Sponsored by Rep. Tami Green, D—Lakewood) Requires the
review of all county election procedures once every three years by the Secretary
of State. It also requires that our county auditors or canvassing boards correct
any problems with the help of the Secretary of State. This legislation will go a
long way toward restoring transparency and accountability to our election
process.
•
House Bill 1754: (Sponsored by Rep. Sam Hunt, D—Olympia) Helps counties
in the state to convert to all mail elections. Currently five Washington
counties vote entirely by mail (Skamania, Clallam, Pend Oreille, Okanogan, and
Ferry County) and 69% of the state votes by permanent absentee ballot. Voting by
mail will save local governments money, help clean up the process by having
similar ballots across the state, and remove the problems associated with
provisional ballots.
The House also adopted two comprehensive election reform bills from the Senate
that address many of the issues raised by last year’s gubernatorial election.
These reforms seek to increase accountability in our election systems while
protecting the rights of all eligible voters.
Senate Bill 5499: (Sponsored by Sen. Jim Kastama)
• Provisional Ballots: Regulates the handling and security of provisional
ballots and requires auditors to notify a voter within three days if the
signature does not match.
• Signature verification: Creates a new set of guidelines on how to verify a
voter’s signature. Voters voting at the polls will need identification before
signing the poll book. "The identification required in this section can be
satisfied by providing valid photo identification, such as a driver's license or
state identification card, student identification card, or tribal identification
card, a voter's voter identification issued by a county elections officer, or a
copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check or
other government document. Any individual who desires to vote in person but
cannot provide identification as required by this section shall be issued a
provisional ballot.
• No signature: A voter who neglects to sign the ballot envelope must be
contacted by phone (no voice mail) or first class mail.
• Ballot Security: All received absentee return envelopes must be placed in
secure locations; opening and processing of return ballot envelopes may begin
upon receipt.
• Automatic Recount: Changes automatic manual recount threshold for statewide
offices to a difference of less than 1000 votes.
Senate Bill 5743: (Sponsored by Sen. Jim Kastama)
• State-wide Voter Database: Requires the Secretary of State to quarterly
review, update and correct the voter registration list by checking data bases
for deaths, different residences, felons, and multiple registrations.
• Proof of Citizenship: Clear and conspicuous language added to the voter
registration form stating that the applicant must be a U.S. citizen and a check
box confirming that the applicant is a citizen
• Toughening Penalties: Warning put on the voter registration form that it is a
class C felony to provide false information;
• Military voters: Return envelope for mail ballots must have a box the voter
can check to indicate a member of the armed forces or an overseas voter;
Senate Bill 5395: (Sponsored by Sen. Jim Kastama) By January 1, 2006,
electronic voting devices must produce a paper record that the voter may view
but not remove, before finalizing his or her vote. The paper records must be
machine readable for counting purposes.
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CONTACT:
Rep. Kathy Haigh (360) 786-7966
Rep. Sam Hunt (360) 786-7992
Rep. Tami Green (360) 786-7958
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