RCW 29A.08.010 Minimum information required for voter registration.
(1) The minimum information provided on a voter registration application that is required in order to place a voter registration applicant on the voter registration rolls includes:
(a) Name;
(b) Residential address;
(c) Date of birth;
(d) A signature attesting to the truth of the information provided on the application; and
(e) A check or indication in the box confirming the individual is a United States citizen.
(2) The residential address provided must identify the actual physical residence of the voter in Washington, as defined in RCW 29A.04.151, with detail sufficient to allow the voter to be assigned to the proper precinct and to locate the voter to confirm his or her residence for purposes of verifying qualification to vote under Article VI, section 1 of the state Constitution. A residential address may be either a traditional address or a nontraditional address. A traditional address consists of a street number and name, optional apartment number or unit number, and city or town, as assigned by a local government, which serves to identify the parcel or building of residence and the unit if a multiunit residence. A nontraditional address consists of a narrative description of the location of the voter's residence, and may be used when a traditional address has not been assigned or affixed to the voter's residence or when a voter resides on an Indian reservation or Indian lands, pursuant to the conditions in RCW 29A.08.112.
(3) All other information supplied is ancillary and not to be used as grounds for not registering an applicant to vote.
(4) Modification of the language of the official Washington state voter registration form by the voter will not be accepted and will cause the rejection of the registrant's application.
[ 2019 c 6 § 1; 2009 c 369 § 6; 2006 c 320 § 2; 2005 c 246 § 2; 2004 c 267 § 102; 2003 c 111 § 201; 1994 c 57 § 9. Formerly RCW 29.07.005.]
RCW 29A.08.030 Notices, various.
The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Verification notice" means a notice sent by the county auditor or secretary of state to a voter registration applicant and is used to verify or collect information about the applicant in order to complete the registration. The verification notice must be designed to include a postage prepaid, preaddressed return form by which the applicant may verify or send information.
(2) "Acknowledgment notice" means a notice sent by nonforwardable mail by the county auditor or secretary of state to a registered voter to acknowledge a voter registration transaction, which can include initial registration, transfer, or reactivation of an inactive registration. An acknowledgment notice may be a voter registration card.
(3) "Identification notice" means a notice sent to a provisionally registered voter to confirm the applicant's identity.
(4) "Confirmation notice" means a notice sent to a registered voter by first-class forwardable mail at the address indicated on the voter's permanent registration record and to any other address at which the county auditor or secretary of state could reasonably expect mail to be received by the voter in order to confirm the voter's residence address. The confirmation notice must be designed to include a postage prepaid, preaddressed return form by which the registrant may verify the address information.
[ 2009 c 369 § 7; 2005 c 246 § 3; 2004 c 267 § 104; 2003 c 111 § 203. Prior: 1994 c 57 § 33. Formerly RCW 29.10.011.]
RCW 29A.08.107 Applicant information for registration—Provisional registration—Exception.
(1) If the driver's license number, state identification card number, or last four digits of the social security number provided by the applicant match the information maintained by the Washington department of licensing or the social security administration, and the applicant provided all information required by RCW 29A.08.010, the applicant must be registered to vote.
(2) If the driver's license number, state identification card number, or last four digits of the social security number provided by the applicant do not match the information maintained by the Washington department of licensing or the social security administration, or if the applicant does not provide a Washington driver's license, a Washington state identification card, or a social security number, the applicant must be provisionally registered to vote. An identification notice must be sent to the voter to obtain the correct driver's license number, state identification card number, last four digits of the social security number, or one of the following forms of alternate identification:
(a) Valid photo identification;
(b) A valid enrollment card of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Washington state;
(c) A copy of a current utility bill;
(d) A current bank statement;
(e) A copy of a current government check;
(f) A copy of a current paycheck; or
(g) A government document, other than a voter registration card, that shows both the name and address of the voter.
(3) The ballot of a provisionally registered voter may not be counted until the voter provides a driver's license number, a state identification card number, or the last four digits of a social security number that matches the information maintained by the Washington department of licensing or the social security administration, or until the voter provides alternate identification. The identification must be provided no later than the day before certification of the primary or election. If the voter provides one of the forms of identification in subsection (2) of this section, the voter's registration status must be changed from provisionally registered to registered.
(4) A provisional registration must remain on the official list of registered voters through at least two general elections for federal office. If, after two general elections for federal office, the voter still has not verified his or her identity, the provisional registration may be canceled.
(5) The requirements of this section do not apply to an overseas or service voter who registers to vote by signing the return envelope of an absentee ballot, or to a registered voter transferring his or her registration.
[ 2009 c 369 § 9; 2005 c 246 § 4; 2004 c 267 § 106.]
RCW 29A.08.112 Voters without traditional residential addresses.
(1) No person registering to vote, who meets all the qualifications of a registered voter in the state of Washington, shall be disqualified because he or she lacks a traditional residential address. A voter who lacks a traditional residential address will be registered and assigned to a precinct based on the location provided.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a voter who resides in a shelter, park, motor home, marina, unmarked home, or other identifiable location that the voter deems to be his or her residence lacks a traditional address. A voter who registers under this section must provide a valid mailing address, and must still meet the requirement in Article VI, section 1 of the state Constitution that he or she live in the area for at least thirty days before the election.
(3) A nontraditional residential address may be used when a voter resides on an Indian reservation or on Indian lands.
(4) A federally recognized tribe may designate one or more tribal government buildings to serve as a residential address or mailing address or both for voters living on an Indian reservation or on Indian lands. However, a voter may not use a tribally designated building as the voter's residential address if the building is in a different precinct than where the voter lives.
(5) A person who has a traditional residential address and does not reside on an Indian reservation or on Indian lands must use that address for voter registration purposes and is not eligible to register under this section.
[ 2019 c 6 § 2; 2006 c 320 § 3; 2005 c 246 § 6.]
RCW 29A.08.120 Registration by mail.
Any elector of this state may register to vote by mail under this title.
[ 2004 c 267 § 109; 2003 c 111 § 208. Prior: 1993 c 434 § 3. Formerly RCW 29.08.030.]
RCW 29A.08.123 Registration electronically.
(1) A person who has a valid Washington state driver's license, state identification card, or tribal identification may submit a voter registration application electronically on the secretary of state's web site. A person who has a valid tribal identification card may submit a voter registration electronically on the secretary of state's web site if the secretary of state is able to obtain a copy of the applicant's signature from the federal government or the tribal government.
(2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true.
(3) The applicant must affirmatively assent to use of his or her driver's license, state identification card, or tribal identification card signature for voter registration purposes.
(4) A voter registration application submitted electronically is otherwise considered a registration by mail.
(5) For each electronic application, the secretary of state must obtain a digital copy of the applicant's driver's license or state identification card signature from the department of licensing or tribal identification issuing authority.
(6) The secretary of state may employ additional security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter registration applications submitted electronically.
[ 2019 c 6 § 3; 2007 c 157 § 1.]
RCW 29A.08.130 Count of registered voters—Inactive voters.
Election officials shall not include inactive voters in the count of registered voters for the purpose of dividing precincts, determining voter turnout, or other purposes in law for which the determining factor is the number of registered voters.
[ 2011 c 10 § 14; 2009 c 369 § 13; 2003 c 111 § 210; 1994 c 57 § 40. Formerly RCW 29.10.081.]
RCW 29A.08.135 Updating information.
(1) When a person who has previously registered to vote in another state applies for voter registration in Washington, the person shall provide on the registration form all information needed to cancel any previous registration. Notification must be made to the state elections office of the applicant's previous state of registration.
(2) A county auditor receiving official information that a voter has registered to vote in another state shall immediately cancel that voter's registration on the official state voter registration list.
[ 2009 c 369 § 14; 2004 c 267 § 111; 2003 c 111 § 211; 2001 c 41 § 6; 1975 1st ex.s. c 184 § 1; 1973 c 153 § 2. Formerly RCW 29.07.092.]
RCW 29A.08.140 Voter registration deadlines.
(1) In order to vote in any primary, special election, or general election, a person who is not registered to vote in Washington must:
(a) Submit a registration application that is received by an election official no later than eight days before the day of the primary, special election, or general election. For purposes of this subsection (1)(a), "received" means: (i) Being physically received by an election official by the close of business of the required deadline; or (ii) for applications received online or electronically, by midnight, of the required deadline; or
(b) Register in person at a county auditor's office, the division of elections if in a separate city from the county auditor's office, a voting center, a student engagement hub, or other location designated by the county auditor no later than 8:00 p.m. on the day of the primary, special election, or general election.
(2)(a) In order to change a residence address for voting in any primary, special election, or general election, a person who is already registered to vote in Washington may update his or her registration by:
(i) Submitting an address change using a registration application or making notification via any non-in-person method that is received by election officials no later than eight days before the day of the primary, special election, or general election; or
(ii) Appearing in person, at a county auditor's office, the division of elections if in a separate city from the county auditor's office, a voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor, no later than 8:00 p.m. on the day of the primary, special election, or general election to be in effect for that primary, special election, or general election.
(b) A registered voter who fails to update his or her residential address by this deadline may vote according to his or her previous registration address.
(3) To register or update a voting address in person at a county auditor's office, a voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor, a person must appear in person at a county auditor's office, a voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor at a time when the facility is open and complete the voter registration application by providing the information required by RCW 29A.08.010.
[ 2020 c 208 § 22; 2019 c 391 § 4; 2018 c 112 § 1; 2011 c 10 § 15; 2009 c 369 § 15; 2006 c 97 § 1; 2004 c 267 § 112; 2003 c 111 § 212. Prior: 1993 c 383 § 2; 1980 c 3 § 4; 1974 ex.s. c 127 § 4; 1971 ex.s. c 202 § 20; 1965 c 9 § 29.07.160; prior: 1947 c 68 § 2; 1933 c 1 § 9; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 5114-9. Formerly RCW 29.07.160.]
RCW 29A.08.166 Party affiliation not required.
Under no circumstances may an individual be required to affiliate with, join, adhere to, express faith in, or declare a preference for, a political party or organization upon registering to vote.
[ 2004 c 271 § 108.]
RCW 29A.08.170 Registration at age sixteen and seventeen. (Effective until January 1, 2022.)
(1) A person may sign up to register to vote if he or she is sixteen or seventeen years of age, as part of the future voter program.
(2) A person who signs up to register to vote may not vote until reaching eighteen years of age, and his or her name may not be added to the statewide voter registration database list of voters until such time as he or she will be eighteen years of age by the next election.
[ 2018 c 109 § 5.]
RCW 29A.08.170 Registration at age sixteen and seventeen. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
(1) A person may sign up to register to vote if he or she is sixteen or seventeen years of age, as part of the future voter program.
(2) A person who signs up to register to vote may not vote until reaching eighteen years of age unless the person is seventeen years of age at the primary election or presidential primary election and will be eighteen years of age by the general election. A person who signs up to register to vote may not be added to the statewide voter registration database list of voters until such time as he or she will be eligible to vote in the next election.
[ 2020 c 208 § 15; 2018 c 109 § 5.]
RCW 29A.08.172 Registration at age sixteen and seventeen—Application by mail. (Effective until January 1, 2022.)
(1) A person who has attained sixteen years of age may sign up to register to vote, as part of the future voter program, by submitting a voter registration application by mail.
(2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true.
(3) If signing up to register by mail, the person must provide a signature for voter registration purposes.
(4) The applicant must affirmatively acknowledge that he or she will not vote until his or her eighteenth birthday.
[ 2018 c 109 § 6.]
RCW 29A.08.172 Registration at age sixteen and seventeen—Application by mail. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
(1) A person who has attained sixteen years of age may sign up to register to vote, as part of the future voter program, by submitting a voter registration application by mail.
(2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true.
(3) If signing up to register by mail, the person must provide a signature for voter registration purposes.
(4) The applicant must affirmatively acknowledge that he or she will not vote in a special or general election until his or her eighteenth birthday.
[ 2020 c 208 § 16; 2018 c 109 § 6.]
RCW 29A.08.174 Registration at age sixteen and seventeen—Application electronically. (Effective until January 1, 2022.)
(1) A person who has attained sixteen years of age and has a valid Washington state driver's license or identicard may sign up to register to vote as part of the future voter program, by submitting a voter registration application electronically on the secretary of state's web site.
(2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true.
(3) If signing up to register electronically, the applicant must affirmatively assent to the use of his or her driver's license or identicard signature for voter registration purposes.
(4) The applicant must affirmatively acknowledge that he or she will not vote until his or her eighteenth birthday.
(5) For each electronic registration application, the secretary of state must obtain a digital copy of the applicant's driver's license or identicard signature from the department of licensing.
(6) The secretary of state may employ additional security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter preregistration applications submitted electronically.
[ 2018 c 109 § 14.]
RCW 29A.08.174 Registration at age sixteen and seventeen—Application electronically. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
(1) A person who has attained sixteen years of age and has a valid Washington state driver's license or identicard may sign up to register to vote as part of the future voter program, by submitting a voter registration application electronically on the secretary of state's web site.
(2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true.
(3) If signing up to register electronically, the applicant must affirmatively assent to the use of his or her driver's license or identicard signature for voter registration purposes.
(4) The applicant must affirmatively acknowledge that he or she will not vote in a special or general election until his or her eighteenth birthday, and will only vote in a primary election or presidential primary election if he or she will be eighteen years of age by the general election.
(5) For each electronic registration application, the secretary of state must obtain a digital copy of the applicant's driver's license or identicard signature from the department of licensing.
(6) The secretary of state may employ additional security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter preregistration applications submitted electronically.
[ 2020 c 208 § 17; 2018 c 109 § 14.]