Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes county elections offices to not produce records if a request is received and requires that all election requests be submitted to the Secretary of State

Highlights:

• Alleges that public access to requested voter registration information is important for the public confidence in the electoral process (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that requests from statewide voter registration databases must be submitted to and fulfilled by the Washington secretary of state (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that if a county receives a database request it must submit the request to the secretary of the state (Sec. 2). 

• Exempts the following information from disclosure (Sec. 4): 

• The continuity of operations plan for election operations;

• Records and manuals containing technical information on election software which might increase risk to the integrity of election operations; 

• Voter signatures on ballot return envelopes and other personal information; 

• Information concerning the infrastructure of private entities;

• Voted ballots;

• Specifies that this does not apply in the case of security breach (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies that this does not apply in the case of audits being conducted (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text