RCW ch. 29A.08 — Revised Code of Washington Chapter 29A.08 RCW — Voters And Registration

RCW 29A.08.010 Minimum information required for voter registration. (1) The minimum required information provided on a voter registration application 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; (e) An address where the person receives mail, if different from the residence address; and (f) Affirmation of citizenship which confirms the individual is a United States citizen, in one of the following forms: (i) A check or indication in the box on a voter registration form confirming citizenship; or (ii) Presentation of documents as part of another government transaction confirming citizenship. (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) 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. (b) 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. [ 2023 c 466 s 2; 2019 c 6 s 1; 2009 c 369 s 6; 2006 c 320 s 2; 2005 c 246 s 2; 2004 c 267 s 102; 2003 c 111 s 201; 1994 c 57 s 9. Formerly RCW 29.07.005.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.020 Registration date. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, for voter registration applicants, the date the voter registration application is received by an election official will be used as the registration date for the purpose of registering and meeting the registration cutoff deadline. [ 2019 c 391 s 3; 2013 c 11 s 12; 2004 c 267 s 103; 2003 c 111 s 204; 1994 c 57 s 30; 1993 c 434 s 1. Formerly RCW 29.08.010.] NOTES: Effective dates— 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 or an automatic voter registration transaction, which can include initial registration, residential address change, or reactivation of an inactive registration, identifying the registrant's precinct and containing such other information as may be required by the secretary of state. An acknowledgment notice may be a voter registration card. (3) "Automatic voter registration acknowledgment notice package" means a package of information sent by nonforwardable mail by the county auditor, to a registered voter who utilized the automatic voter registration process at the department of licensing, to acknowledge a voter registration transaction, which can include initial registration, residential address change, or reactivation of an inactive registration. The package must include: (a) A postage prepaid, preaddressed return form by which the individual may decline to be registered to vote or decline the update; (b) A statement explaining that the person has become registered to vote or signed up to register to vote, as appropriate, setting forth the qualifications to vote, stating that if the individual does not meet the qualifications to vote, the person shall return the notice and affirmatively decline in writing to register to vote, and that if the person wishes to cancel the voter registration at any time, that the person may contact their county auditor to do so; (c) Instructions regarding how an individual can obtain more information about the notice and assistance in the individual's preferred language, including languages as set forth in RCW 29A.08.270; (d) An acknowledgment notice; and (e) Other information required by the secretary of state. (4) "Identification notice" means a notice sent to a provisionally registered voter to confirm the applicant's identity. (5) "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. [ 2023 c 466 s 3; 2009 c 369 s 7; 2005 c 246 s 3; 2004 c 267 s 104; 2003 c 111 s 203. Prior: 1994 c 57 s 33. Formerly RCW 29.10.011.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.105 Official voter list, maintained by secretary of state—Role of county auditors and elections offices. (1) In compliance with the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252), the centralized statewide voter registration list maintained by the secretary of state is the official list of eligible voters for all elections. (2) In all counties, the county auditor shall be the chief registrar of voters for every precinct within the county. (3) Requests for records from, or any existing standard reports generated by, the statewide voter registration database must be submitted to and fulfilled by the secretary of state per Title 42 RCW. If a county elections office receives a request for records from, or any existing standard reports generated by, the statewide voter registration database, the county elections office is not required to produce any records in response to the request, but shall, by the deadline set forth in RCW 42.56.520, direct the requestor to submit the request to the secretary of state. [ 2023 c 404 s 2; 2009 c 369 s 8; 2004 c 267 s 105; 2003 c 111 s 205; 1999 c 298 s 4; 1994 c 57 s 8; 1984 c 211 s 3; 1980 c 48 s 1; 1971 ex.s. c 202 s 4; 1965 c 9 s 29.07.010. Prior: 1957 c 251 s 4; prior: 1939 c 15 s 1, part; 1933 c 1 s 3, part; RRS s 5114-3, part; prior: 1891 c 104 ss 1, part, 2, part; RRS ss 5116, part, 5117, part. Formerly RCW 29.07.010.] NOTES: Findings— 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 s 9; 2005 c 246 s 4; 2004 c 267 s 106.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.110 Auditor's procedure. (1) For persons registering under RCW 29A.08.120, 29A.08.123, 29A.08.170, 29A.08.330, 29A.08.340, 29A.08.362, and 29A.08.365, an application is considered complete only if it contains the information required by RCW 29A.08.010. The applicant is considered to be registered to vote as of: (a) The original date of receipt; (b) When the person will be at least eighteen years old by the next election; (c) When the person will be at least seventeen years old by the next primary election or presidential primary election and eighteen years old by the general election, whichever is applicable; or (d) For voters utilizing automatic voter registration under RCW 29A.08.315 at the department of licensing, the date that an election official receives the information to register the person to vote, unless: (i) The voter declines registration by the deadline in RCW 29A.08.359(4)(a); or (ii) An election official receives the information to register the person to vote after the deadline to register to vote under RCW 29A.08.140(1)(a), in which case the applicant is considered to be registered to vote as of the day after the election. (2) As soon as practicable, the auditor shall record the appropriate precinct identification, taxing district identification, and date of registration on the voter's record in the state voter registration list. The secretary of state shall, pursuant to RCW 29A.04.611, establish procedures to enable new or updated voter registrations to be recorded on an expedited basis. Any mailing address provided shall be used only for mail delivery purposes, and not for precinct assignment or residency purposes. (3) The voter must be sent an acknowledgment notice using first-class nonforwardable mail: (a) For voters utilizing automatic voter registration services at the department of licensing, within five business days after the receipt of an application or residential address change, or, if the application or residential address change is received after the deadline to register to vote or update a voter registration under RCW 29A.08.140 (1)(a) or (2)(a)(i), within five business days after the election, the auditor shall send an automatic voter registration acknowledgment notice package as required by RCW 29A.08.030. (b) For all other voters, within 60 days after the receipt of an application or residential address change, the auditor shall send an acknowledgment notice as required by RCW 29A.08.030. (4) If an application is not complete, the auditor shall promptly mail a verification notice to the applicant. The verification notice shall require the applicant to provide the missing information. If the applicant provides the required information within forty-five days, the applicant shall be registered to vote as of the original date of application. The applicant shall not be placed on the official list of registered voters until the application is complete. (5) Once a future voter is no longer in pending status, as described in RCW 29A.08.615, his or her application to sign up to register to vote is no longer pending and is subject to this section. [ 2023 c 466 s 4; 2020 c 208 s 14; 2019 c 391 s 5. Prior: 2018 c 112 s 2; 2018 c 110 s 101; 2018 c 109 s 4; 2009 c 369 s 10; 2005 c 246 s 5; 2004 c 267 s 107; 2003 c 111 s 206; prior: 1994 c 57 s 32; 1993 c 434 s 6. Formerly RCW 29.08.060.] NOTES: Effective date— 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 s 2; 2006 c 320 s 3; 2005 c 246 s 6.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.115 Registration by other than auditor or secretary of state. A person or organization collecting voter registration application forms must transmit the forms to the secretary of state or a county auditor within five business days. The registration date on such forms will be the date they are received by the secretary of state or county auditor. A person or organization collecting voter registration forms that intentionally does not transmit the forms to an election office may be subject to penalty under RCW 29A.84.030. [ 2023 c 466 s 35; 2009 c 369 s 11; 2005 c 246 s 8; 2004 c 267 s 108; 2003 c 111 s 207; 1971 ex.s. c 202 s 15; 1965 c 9 s 29.07.110. Prior: 1957 c 251 s 11; prior: 1947 c 68 s 1, part; 1945 c 95 s 1, part; 1933 c 1 s 6, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 5114-6, part; prior: 1919 c 163 s 6, part; 1915 c 16 s 6, part; 1901 c 135 s 5, part; 1893 c 45 s 1, part; 1889 p 415 s 6, part; RRS s 5124, part. Formerly RCW 29.07.110.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.120 Registration by mail. Any elector of this state may register to vote by mail under this title. [ 2004 c 267 s 109; 2003 c 111 s 208. Prior: 1993 c 434 s 3. Formerly RCW 29.08.030.] NOTES: Effective dates— RCW 29A.08.123 Registration electronically. (1) A person qualified to vote who has a valid: (a) Washington state driver's license; (b) Washington state identification card; (c) Washington state learner's permit; (d) Current Washington tribal identification; or (e) Social security number, may submit a voter registration application electronically on the secretary of state's website, and provide either the state issued identification number, the tribal identification number, or the last four digits of the person's social security number. (2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application and confirm the applicant's United States citizenship by reviewing the registration oath online and affirmatively accepting the information as true. (3) For applicants using Washington state issued identification, the applicant must affirmatively assent to use of the applicant's driver's license or state identification card signature for voter registration purposes. (4) For applicants who are not using Washington state issued identification, the applicant must submit a signature image by either submitting a signature image to the secretary of state, or submitting a signature image as part of the confirmation notice process. (5) A voter registration application submitted electronically is otherwise considered a registration by mail. (6) 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, the voter, or tribal identification issuing authority. (7) The secretary of state may employ additional security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter registration applications submitted electronically. (8) The secretary of state may employ an application programming interface to allow a person to securely submit a voter registration application electronically to the secretary of state through the website of a government agency or institution of higher learning. In order to facilitate an electronic application under this subsection, a government agency or institution of higher learning must be approved under a process designed by the secretary of state. [ 2025 c 330 s 4; 2023 c 363 s 1; 2019 c 6 s 3; 2007 c 157 s 1.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.125 Database of voter registration records. (1) The office of the secretary of state shall maintain a statewide voter registration database. This database must be a centralized, uniform, interactive computerized statewide voter registration list that contains the name and registration information of every registered voter in the state. (2) The statewide list is the official list of registered voters for the conduct of all elections. (3) The statewide list must include, but is not limited to, the name, date of birth, residence address, signature, gender, and date of registration of every legally registered voter in the state. (4) A unique identifier must be assigned to each registered voter in the state. (5) The database must be coordinated with other government databases within the state including, but not limited to, the department of corrections, the department of licensing, the department of health, and county auditors. The database may also be coordinated with the databases of election officials in other states. (6) Authorized employees of the secretary of state and each county auditor must have immediate electronic access to the information maintained in the database. (7) Voter registration information received by each county auditor must be electronically entered into the database. The office of the secretary of state must provide support, as needed, to enable each county auditor to enter and maintain voter registration information in the state database. (8) The secretary of state has data authority over all voter registration data. (9) The voter registration database must be designed to accomplish at a minimum, the following: (a) Comply with the help America vote act of 2002 (P.L. 107-252); (b) Identify duplicate voter registrations; (c) Identify suspected duplicate voters; (d) Screen against any available databases maintained by other government agencies to identify voters who are ineligible to vote due to serving a sentence of total confinement as the result of a felony conviction, lack of citizenship, or a court finding of mental incompetence; (e) Provide images of voters' signatures for the purpose of checking signatures on initiative and referendum petitions; (f) Provide for a comparison between the voter registration database and the department of licensing change of address database; (g) Provide access for county auditors that includes the capability to update registrations and search for duplicate registrations; (h) Provide for the cancellation of registrations of voters who have moved out of state; and (i) Provide for the storage of pending registration records for all future voters who have not yet reached eighteen years of age in a manner that these records will not appear on the official list of registered voters until the future registrant is no longer in pending status as defined under RCW 29A.08.615. (10) The secretary of state may, upon agreement with other appropriate jurisdictions, screen against any available databases maintained by election officials in other states and databases maintained by federal agencies including, but not limited to, the federal bureau of investigation, the federal court system, the federal bureau of prisons, and the bureau of citizenship and immigration services. (11) The database shall retain information regarding previous successful appeals of proposed cancellations of registrations in order to avoid repeated cancellations for the same reason. (12) Each county auditor shall maintain a list of all registered voters within the county that are contained on the official statewide voter registration list. In addition to the information maintained in the statewide database, the county database must also maintain the applicable taxing district and precinct codes for each voter in the county, and a list of elections in which the individual voted. (13) Each county auditor shall allow electronic access and information transfer between the county's voter registration system and the official statewide voter registration list. [ 2023 c 466 s 5; 2018 c 109 s 7; 2009 c 369 s 12; 2005 c 246 s 9; 2004 c 267 s 110; 2003 c 111 s 209; 1993 c 408 s 11; 1991 c 81 s 22; 1974 ex.s. c 127 s 12. Formerly RCW 29.07.220.] NOTES: Findings— 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 s 14; 2009 c 369 s 13; 2003 c 111 s 210; 1994 c 57 s 40. Formerly RCW 29.10.081.] NOTES: Notice to registered poll voters— 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 from an elections office in another state that a voter has registered to vote in that state more recently than in Washington, which the auditor is able to verify matches the information in a Washington voter registration record, shall immediately cancel that voter's registration on the official state voter registration list. [ 2026 c 212 s 8; 2009 c 369 s 14; 2004 c 267 s 111; 2003 c 111 s 211; 2001 c 41 s 6; 1975 1st ex.s. c 184 s 1; 1973 c 153 s 2. Formerly RCW 29.07.092.] NOTES: Effective dates— 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 location 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 if the county is conducting an 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 location 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 if the county is conducting an election, or general election to be in effect for that primary, special election if the county is conducting an 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. [ 2022 c 69 s 2; 2020 c 208 s 22; 2019 c 391 s 4; 2018 c 112 s 1; 2011 c 10 s 15; 2009 c 369 s 15; 2006 c 97 s 1; 2004 c 267 s 112; 2003 c 111 s 212. Prior: 1993 c 383 s 2; 1980 c 3 s 4; 1974 ex.s. c 127 s 4; 1971 ex.s. c 202 s 20; 1965 c 9 s 29.07.160; prior: 1947 c 68 s 2; 1933 c 1 s 9; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 5114-9. Formerly RCW 29.07.160.] NOTES: Short title— RCW 29A.08.150 Expense of registration. The expense of registration in all rural precincts must be paid by the county. The expense of registration in all precincts lying wholly within a city or town must be paid by the city or town. Registration expenses for this section include both active and inactive voters. [ 2003 c 111 s 214; 1965 c 9 s 29.07.030. Prior: 1939 c 82 s 1, part; 1933 c 1 s 4, part; RRS s 5114-4, part; prior: 1891 c 104 s 4; RRS s 5119. Formerly RCW 29.07.030.] RCW 29A.08.161 No link between voter and ballot choice—Exception. No record may be created or maintained by a state or local governmental agency or a political organization that identifies a voter with the information marked on the voter's ballot, except the declarations made under RCW 29A.56.050(2). [ 2019 c 7 s 6; 2004 c 271 s 107.] 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 s 108.] RCW 29A.08.170 Registration at age 16 and 17. (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. (3) A person who signs up to register to vote may not be added to the statewide voter registration list of voters until such time as he or she will be eligible to vote in the next election. [ 2023 c 361 s 3; 2020 c 208 s 15; 2018 c 109 s 5.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.172 Registration at age sixteen and seventeen—Application by mail. (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 s 16; 2018 c 109 s 6.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.174 Registration at age 16 and 17—Application electronically. (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 website. (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. [ 2023 c 361 s 4; 2020 c 208 s 17; 2018 c 109 s 14.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.210 Application—Contents. An applicant for voter registration shall complete an application providing the following information concerning the applicant's qualifications as a voter in this state: (1) The applicant's full name; (2) The applicant's date of birth; (3) The address of the applicant's residence for voting purposes; (4) The mailing address of the applicant if that address is not the same as the address in subsection (3) of this section; (5) The gender of the applicant; (6) The former address of the applicant if previously registered to vote; (7) The applicant's Washington state driver's license number, Washington state identification card number, or the last four digits of the applicant's social security number if the applicant does not have a Washington state driver's license or Washington state identification card; (8) A check box allowing the applicant to indicate membership in the armed forces, national guard, or reserves, or overseas voter status; (9) Clear and conspicuous language, designed to draw the applicant's attention, stating that: (a) The applicant must be a United States citizen in order to register to vote; and (b) The applicant may register to vote if the applicant is at least sixteen years old and may vote if the applicant will be at least eighteen years old by the next general election, or is at least eighteen years old for special elections; (10) A check box and declaration confirming that the applicant is a citizen of the United States; (11) The following warning: "If you knowingly provide false information on this voter registration form or knowingly make a false declaration about your qualifications for voter registration you will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both." (12) The oath required by RCW 29A.08.230 and a space for the applicant's signatures. The secretary of state is encouraged to provide applications for voter registration with multiple signature blocks to assist in comparing signatures on ballot declarations; and (13) Any other information that the secretary of state determines is necessary to establish the identity of the applicant and prevent duplicate or fraudulent voter registrations. This information shall be recorded on a single registration form to be prescribed by the secretary of state. [ 2024 c 269 s 11; (2024 c 269 s 10 expired July 15, 2024); 2023 c 466 s 6; 2020 c 208 s 3; 2018 c 109 s 8; 2009 c 369 s 16; 2005 c 246 s 11; 2003 c 111 s 216; 1994 c 57 s 11; 1990 c 143 s 7; 1973 1st ex.s. c 21 s 3; 1971 ex.s. c 202 s 9; 1965 c 9 s 29.07.070. Prior: 1947 c 68 s 3, part; 1933 c 1 s 11, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 5114-11, part; prior: 1921 c 177 s 7, part; 1915 c 16 s 8, part; 1901 c 135 s 4, part; 1893 c 45 s 3, part; 1889 p 416 s 8, part; RRS s 5126, part. Formerly RCW 29.07.070.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.220 Application—Format. (1) The secretary of state shall specify by rule the format of all voter registration applications. These applications shall be compatible with existing voter registration records. An applicant for voter registration shall be required to complete only one application and to provide the required information other than the applicant's signature no more than one time. These applications shall also contain instructions for the voter to use the form to update information related to the voter's voter registration. (2) Any application format specified by the secretary for use in registering to vote in state and local elections shall satisfy the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-31) and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-252) for registering to vote in federal elections. [ 2023 c 466 s 7; 2013 c 11 s 13; 2004 c 267 s 115; 2003 c 111 s 217. Prior: 1994 c 57 s 18; 1990 c 143 s 9; 1973 1st ex.s. c 21 s 7; 1971 ex.s. c 202 s 18; 1965 c 9 s 29.07.140; prior: (i) 1933 c 1 s 30; RRS s 5114-30. (ii) 1933 c 1 s 13, part; RRS s 5114-13, part. Formerly RCW 29.07.140.] NOTES: Effective dates— RCW 29A.08.230 Oath of applicant. For all voter registrations, the registrant shall sign the following oath: "I declare that the facts on this voter registration form are true. I am a citizen of the United States, I will have lived at this address in Washington for at least thirty days immediately before the next election at which I vote, and I am at least sixteen years old. I am not disqualified from voting due to a court order, and I am not currently serving a sentence of total confinement under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for a Washington felony conviction, and I am not currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction." [ 2021 c 10 s 2; 2020 c 208 s 4; 2013 c 11 s 14; 2009 c 369 s 17; 2003 c 111 s 218; 1994 c 57 s 12; 1990 c 143 s 8; 1973 1st ex.s. c 21 s 4; 1971 ex.s. c 202 s 10; 1965 c 9 s 29.07.080. Prior: 1933 c 1 s 12; RRS s 5114-12. Formerly RCW 29.07.080.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.260 Production, supply, and distribution. (1) All registration applications required under RCW 29A.08.210 and 29A.08.340 shall be produced and furnished by the secretary of state to the county auditors and the department of licensing. (2) The county auditor shall distribute forms by which a person may register to vote by mail and update the address for any previous registration in this state. The county auditor shall keep a supply of voter registration forms in the auditor's office at all times for people and organizations interested in assisting in voter registration, and shall make every effort to make these forms generally available to the public. The county auditor shall provide voter registration forms to city and town clerks, state offices, schools, fire stations, public libraries, and any other locations considered appropriate by the auditor or secretary of state for extending registration opportunities to all areas of the county. After the initial distribution of voter registration forms to a given location, a representative designated by the official in charge of that location shall notify the county auditor of the need for additional voter registration supplies. [ 2023 c 466 s 8; 2013 c 11 s 15; 2009 c 369 s 18; 2004 c 267 s 118; 2003 c 111 s 221. Prior: 1993 c 434 s 4. Formerly RCW 29.08.040.] NOTES: Effective dates— RCW 29A.08.270 Information in various languages. In order to encourage the broadest possible voting participation by all eligible citizens, the secretary of state shall produce voter registration information in the various languages required of state agencies. [ 2023 c 466 s 9; 2003 c 111 s 139; 2001 c 41 s 3. Formerly RCW 29A.04.240, 29.04.085.] RCW 29A.08.310 Voter registration services—Designation of agencies, facilities, programs, etc. (1) The governor, in consultation with the secretary of state, shall designate agencies to provide voter registration services in compliance with federal statutes. The governor, in consultation with the secretary of state, may designate local, federal, or tribal agencies, including but not limited to federal agencies administering naturalization ceremonies, to provide voter registration services, provided that such agencies consent to providing voter registration services. (2) A federally recognized tribe may request that the governor designate one or more state facilities or state-funded facilities or programs that are located on the lands of the requesting Indian tribe or that are substantially engaged in providing services to Indian tribes, as selected by the tribe, to provide voter registration services. This provision does not alter the state's obligations under the national voter registration act. (3) Each state agency designated shall provide voter registration services for employees and the public within each office of that agency. (4) The secretary of state shall design and provide a standard notice informing the public of the availability of voter registration, which notice shall be posted in each state agency where such services are available. (5) Each institution of higher education shall put in place an active prompt on its course registration website, or similar website that students actively and regularly use, that, if selected, will link the student to the secretary of state's voter registration website. The prompt must ask the student if he or she wishes to register to vote. (6) If the governor, in consultation with the secretary of state, designates the department of corrections to provide voter registration services under this section, a county auditor shall process a voter registration application from a person transmitted by the department of corrections as an application to sign up to register to vote. A person who signs up to register to vote under this subsection is classified as pending until such time as he or she will be eligible to vote in the next election. An acknowledgment notice shall not be sent prior to receipt of notice from the department of corrections that a person is released from, or transferred to partial confinement from, total confinement under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections. [ 2025 c 330 s 3; 2019 c 6 s 4; 2009 c 369 s 19; 2003 c 111 s 222; 2002 c 185 s 3; 1994 c 57 s 10; 1984 c 211 s 2. Formerly RCW 29.07.025.] NOTES: Severability— RCW 29A.08.315 Automatic voter registration—Application for government services requiring proof of citizenship. A person applying for government services which require proof of citizenship as part of that application may receive automatic voter registration services by providing the following information: (1) Name; (2) Residential address; (3) Date of birth; (4) A signature attesting to the truth of the information provided on the application; (5) An address where the person receives mail, if different from the residence address; and (6) Presentation of documentation as part of another government transaction confirming the individual is a United States citizen. [ 2023 c 466 s 1.] RCW 29A.08.320 Registration or transfer at designated agencies—Form and application. For persons not performing an automatic voter registration transaction subject to RCW 29A.08.315: (1) A person may register to vote or update their residential address information for a voter registration when applying for service or assistance and with each renewal, recertification, or change of address at agencies designated under RCW 29A.08.310. (2) A prospective applicant shall initially be offered a form approved by the secretary of state designed to determine whether the person wishes to register to vote. The form must comply with all applicable state and federal statutes regarding content. The form shall also contain a box that may be checked by the applicant to decline to register at the time of the transaction. If the person indicates an interest in registering or has made no indication as to a desire to register or not register to vote, the person shall be given a mail-in voter registration application or a prescribed agency application as provided by RCW 29A.08.330. [ 2023 c 466 s 10. Prior: 2004 c 267 s 119; 2004 c 266 s 7; 2003 c 111 s 223; prior: 1994 c 57 s 27. Formerly RCW 29.07.430.] NOTES: Effective dates— RCW 29A.08.330 Registration at designated agencies—Procedures. (1) The secretary of state shall prescribe the method of voter registration for each designated agency. The agency shall use either the state voter registration by mail form with a separate declination form for the applicant to decline to register at this time, or the agency may use a separate form or process approved for use by the secretary of state. (2) The person providing service at the agency shall offer voter registration services to every client at the time of application for service or assistance and with each renewal, recertification, or change of address. The person providing service shall give the applicant the same level of assistance with the voter registration application as is offered to fill out the agency's forms and documents, including information about age and citizenship requirements for voter registration. (3)(a) The person providing service at the agency shall determine if the prospective applicant wants to register to vote or update the applicant's voter registration by asking the following question of all applicants age 16 or older: "Do you want to register or sign up to vote or update your voter registration?" (b) If the applicant chooses to register, sign up, or update a registration, the service agent shall ask the following: "Are you a United States citizen?" If the applicant answers in the affirmative, the agent shall then provide the applicant with a voter registration form and instructions and shall record that the applicant has requested to sign up to vote, register to vote, or update a voter registration. If the applicant answers in the negative to the question, the agent shall not provide the applicant with a voter registration application. (4) If an agency uses a computerized application process, it may, in consultation with the secretary of state, develop methods to capture simultaneously the information required for voter registration during a person's computerized application process. (5) Each designated agency shall transmit the applications to the secretary of state or appropriate county auditor within three business days and must be received by the election official by the required voter registration deadline. (6) Disclosure of information on individuals under the age of 18 is subject to RCW 29A.08.725. [ 2023 c 466 s 11; 2023 c 361 s 5; 2020 c 208 s 5; 2019 c 391 s 6; 2018 c 109 s 18; 2013 c 11 s 16; 2009 c 369 s 20; 2005 c 246 s 14; 2003 c 111 s 224. Prior: 2001 c 41 s 7; 1994 c 57 s 28. Formerly RCW 29.07.440.] NOTES: Reviser's note: RCW 29A.08.340 Registration or update of registration with driver's license or identification card application or renewal. (1) A person not performing an automatic voter registration transaction under RCW 29A.08.315 may register to vote or update the person's existing voter registration when applying for or renewing a driver's license or identification card under chapter 46.20 RCW. (2) To register to vote or update a registration, the applicant shall provide the information required by RCW 29A.08.010. (3) The driver licensing agent shall record that the applicant has requested to register to vote or update a voter registration. [ 2023 c 466 s 12; 2013 c 11 s 17; 2003 c 111 s 225; 2001 c 41 s 16; 1999 c 298 s 6; 1994 c 57 s 21; 1990 c 143 s 1. Formerly RCW 29.07.260.] NOTES: Severability— RCW 29A.08.350 Duties of department of licensing, secretary of state. The department of licensing shall produce and transmit to the secretary of state the following information from the records of each individual who requested to register to vote or update the individual's existing voter registration at a driver's license facility: The name, address, date of birth, any gender information provided by the applicant, the driver's license number, signature image, any language preference information collected, any phone number provided by the voter, any email address provided by the voter, and the date on which the application for voter registration or update was submitted. The secretary of state shall process the registrations and updates as an electronic application. If requested by the secretary of state, the department shall provide copies of the documents submitted to prove citizenship for an individual subject to this section. [ 2023 c 466 s 13; 2018 c 110 s 106; 2013 c 11 s 18; 2009 c 369 s 21; 2004 c 267 s 120; 2003 c 111 s 226; 1994 c 57 s 22; 1990 c 143 s 2. Formerly RCW 29.07.270.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.355 Automatic registration and automatic sign-up to register—Enhanced driver's licenses and identicards. (1) The department of licensing must collect and transmit to the secretary of state voter registration information for all citizens applying for, renewing, or updating an enhanced driver's license or enhanced identicard by automated process at the time of registration, renewal, or change of address if: (a) The person meets requirements for voter registration; (b) The person has received or is renewing an enhanced driver's license or enhanced identicard issued under RCW 46.20.202 or is changing the address for an existing enhanced driver's license or enhanced identicard pursuant to RCW 46.20.205; and (c) The department of licensing record associated with the applicant contains: (i) The data required to determine whether the applicant meets requirements for voter registration under RCW 29A.08.010; (ii) Other information as required by the secretary of state; and (iii) A signature image. (2) The department of licensing must collect and transmit to the secretary of state voter registration information for all citizens applying for, renewing, or updating an enhanced driver's license or enhanced identicard 16 or 17 years of age if: (a) The person meets requirements to sign up to register to vote; (b) The person has received or is renewing an enhanced driver's license or enhanced identicard issued under RCW 46.20.202 or is changing the address for an existing enhanced driver's license or enhanced identicard pursuant to RCW 46.20.205; and (c) The department of licensing record associated with the applicant contains: (i) The data required to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for voter registration under RCW 29A.08.210, other than age; (ii) Other information as required by the secretary of state; and (iii) A signature image. [ 2023 c 466 s 14; 2020 c 208 s 7; 2018 c 110 s 102.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.357 Automatic registration—Enhanced driver's licenses and identicards—Application submission. (1) For applicants served under RCW 29A.08.355, the application is submitted pursuant to RCW 29A.08.350 and marked as an automatic voter registrant. (2) For each such application, the secretary of state must obtain a digital copy of the applicant's signature image from the department of licensing. [ 2023 c 466 s 15; 2018 c 110 s 103.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.359 Automatic registration—Enhanced driver's licenses and identicards—Procedure—Auditor duties—Confidentiality. (1)(a) For persons age eighteen years and older registering under RCW 29A.08.355(1), an application is considered complete only if it contains the information required by RCW 29A.08.010 and other information as required by the secretary of state. The applicant is considered to be registered to vote as of the original date of issuance or renewal or date of change of address of an enhanced driver's license or enhanced identicard issued under RCW 46.20.202 or change of address for an existing enhanced driver's license or enhanced identicard pursuant to RCW 46.20.205. (b) For persons sixteen or seventeen years of age registering under RCW 29A.08.355(2), an application is considered complete only if it contains the information required by RCW 29A.08.010 and other information as required by the secretary of state. The applicant is considered to be registered to vote as of the date set forth in RCW 29A.08.110(1). (c) The information must be transmitted daily to the secretary of state. (i) If the information shows no name change or change of residence or mailing address for an existing voter registration, the auditor may choose to send the voter an acknowledgment notice. (ii) If the information is an application for new registration or updates any element of an existing voter registration, the auditor shall update the voter's record and, if the information updates the voter's name, residence address, or mailing address, record the appropriate precinct identification, taxing district identification, and date of registration on the voter's record in the state voter registration list and send an automatic voter registration acknowledgment notice package within five business days of the original application, or, if the information is received after the deadline to register to vote or update a voter registration under RCW 29A.08.140 (1)(a) or (2)(a)(i), within five business days after the election. Any mailing address provided shall be used only for mail delivery purposes, and not for precinct assignment or residency purposes. (d) An auditor may use other means to communicate with potential and registered voters such as, but not limited to, email, phone, or text messaging. The alternate form of communication must not be in lieu of the mail requirements. The auditor shall act in compliance with all voter notification processes established in federal law. (2) If an application is not complete, the auditor shall promptly mail a verification notice to the applicant. The verification notice must require the applicant to provide the missing information. If the applicant provides the required information within forty-five days, the applicant must be registered to vote. The applicant must not be placed on the official list of registered voters until the application is complete. (3) If the prospective registration applicant responds to the automatic voter registration acknowledgment notice and declines to register to vote or the information provided by the department of licensing does not indicate citizenship, the information must not be included on the list of registered voters. (4)(a) For new registrants who decline registration in a reply that is received by the auditor within 15 days from the date of mailing of the automatic voter registration acknowledgment notice package, the voter registration record shall be removed from the list of registered voters, and the person is deemed to have never registered to vote. (b) If the reply declining registration is received after the deadline, the auditor shall cancel the voter's registration. (5) The department of licensing is prohibited from sharing data files used by the secretary of state to certify voters registered through the automated process outlined in RCW 29A.08.355 with any federal agency, or state agency other than the secretary of state. Personal information supplied for the purposes of obtaining a driver's license or identicard is exempt from public inspection pursuant to RCW 42.56.230. [ 2023 c 466 s 16; 2020 c 208 s 18; 2019 c 391 s 8; 2018 c 110 s 104.] NOTES: Effective date— RCW 29A.08.362 Automatic registration—Health benefit exchange. (1) The health benefit exchange shall provide the following information to the secretary of state's office for consenting Washington healthplanfinder applicants who affirmatively indicate that they are interested in registering to vote, including applicants who file changes of address, who reside in Washington, are age eighteen years or older, and are verified citizens, for voter registration purposes: (a) Names; (b) Traditional or nontraditional residential addresses; (c) Mailing addresses, if different from the traditional or nontraditional residential address; and (d) Dates of birth. (2) The health benefit exchange shall consult with the secretary of state's office to ensure that sufficient information is provided to allow the secretary of state to obtain a digital copy of the person's signature when available from the department of licensing and establish other criteria and procedures that are secure and compliant with federal and state voter registration and privacy laws and rules. (3)(a) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the health benefit exchange may provide the information identified in subsection (1)(a) through (d) of this section to the secretary of state's office for Washington healthplanfinder applicants, including applicants who file changes of address, who reside in Washington, who are age 18 years or older, and whose citizenship is reliably verified through an electronic database match as part of the eligibility determination process, if: (i) The health benefit exchange sends the applicant a notice within five business days of the original application informing the applicant that the health benefit exchange will provide the information identified in subsection (1)(a) through (d) of this section to the secretary of state's office for voter registration purposes unless the applicant declines; and (ii) The applicant does not respond to the notice identified in (a)(i) of this subsection to decline to provide their information for voter registration within 15 days from the date of mailing. (b) If the secretary of state provides voter registration data to the health benefit exchange showing that an applicant has an existing voter registration and the information identified in subsection (1)(a) through (d) of this section shows no name change or change of residence or mailing address, the health benefit exchange is not required to send the notice identified in subsection (a)(i) of this subsection or transmit the information identified in subsection (1)(a) through (d) of this section to the secretary of state. The secretary of state may serve as the agent of the health benefit exchange for purposes of this subsection. (4) Upon receipt of the information through the procedure identified in subsection (3) of this section, the secretary of state shall implement automatic voter registration through a procedure that substantially meets the requirements of RCW 29A.08.359. (5) If the health benefit exchange determines, in consultation with the health care authority, that implementation of an automatic voter registration system requires approval from the centers for medicare and medicaid services, then any implementation is contingent on receiving that approval. [ 2025 c 330 s 2; 2023 c 466 s 17; 2018 c 110 s 201.] NOTES: Short title— RCW 29A.08.365 Automatic voter registration—Other agencies. (1) The governor shall make a decision, in consultation with the office of the secretary of state, as to whether each agency identified in subsection (2) of this section shall implement automatic voter registration. The final decision is at the governor's sole discretion. (2) This section applies to state agencies, other than the health benefit exchange, providing public assistance or services to persons with disabilities, designated pursuant to RCW 29A.08.310(1), that collect, process, and store the following information as part of providing assistance or services: (a) Names; (b) Traditional or nontraditional residential addresses; (c) Dates of birth; (d) A signature attesting to the truth of the information provided on the application for assistance or services; and (e) Verification of citizenship information, via social security administration data match or manually verified by the agency during the client transaction. (3) Once an agency has implemented automatic voter registration, it shall continue to provide automatic voter registration unless legislation is enacted that directs the agency to do otherwise. (4) Agencies may not begin verifying citizenship as part of an agency transaction for the sole purpose of providing automatic voter registration. (5) The governor shall make a decision, in consultation with the office of the secretary of state, as to whether state agencies that collect, possess, and store the information identified in subsection (2) of this section may implement automatic voter registration through a procedure that substantially meets the requirements of RCW 29A.08.359, or as to whether state agencies that collect, possess, and store the information in subsection (2)(a) through (c) of this section may implement automatic updates of existing voter registrations through a procedure that substantially meets the requirements of RCW 29A.08.359. The governor shall make the same decision, in consultation with the office of the secretary of state, as to local, federal, or tribal agencies, including but not limited to federal agencies administering naturalization ceremonies, provided that such agencies consent to implementing automatic voter registration or automatic updates of existing voter registrations. The final decision is at the governor's sole discretion. (6) After confirming that the application for assistance or services identified in subsection (2) of this section contains a signature attesting to the truth of the information provided on the application, the secretary of state may obtain a digital copy of the applicant's signature image from the department of licensing, if available, for purposes of voter registration. [ 2025 c 330 s 1; 2023 c 466 s 18; 2018 c 110 s 202.] NOTES: Short title— RCW 29A.08.370 Automatic registration—Registration of person ineligible to vote. (1) If a person who is ineligible to vote becomes, i