OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed five election-related bills into law Wednesday, responding to what state legislators described as mounting threats to voting access from the Trump administration.
Supporters framed the package as a defensive measure against potential federal changes, including proposals to eliminate mail-in ballots, require proof of citizenship to register and mandate photo ID to vote.
The new laws include making it a felony for anyone other than the Secretary of State’s Office to share voter information, amending who can challenge a voter’s registration, and requiring jurisdictions with prior voting rights violations to obtain approval from Washington’s attorney general before changing voting rules or boundaries.
“We have to fight back. And we see these set of bills as one step in fighting back. And there’s so much more to be done,” said Roxana Norouzi, executive director of OneAmerica, an immigration advocacy organization.
She warned potential federal changes would suppress participation beyond immigrant communities.
“We are operating under a federal government that is actively undermining our democracy, trying to push new Americans, people who may not be voting regularly, out of the system,” she said.
State Rep. Sharlett Mena, who voted for all five bills, said concern over federal actions drove the legislative effort.
“I’m incredibly concerned, and that was sort of the impetus for working on this package — making sure that we’ve done everything we have in our policy toolbox. But there’s more to be done outside of that,” said Mena, D-Tacoma.
With the legislative session now concluded, Mena said she is closely watching both the Trump administration and the U.S. Supreme Court, which recently heard arguments regarding mail-in ballots received after Election Day.
“If we get a ruling that says your ballot has to be in by Election Day, then we have work to do in educating the populace,” Mena said, adding that expanding ballot drop box locations and direct voter outreach would need to be explored.
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