The bill seeks to enhance voting rights and processes for uniformed and overseas civilian voters in Washington State by aligning state laws with federal standards. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "covered voter," "uniformed-service voter," and "military-overseas ballot," and mandates the Secretary of State to implement an electronic system for voter registration and ballot requests. Key provisions include ensuring that ballots are mailed to overseas voters at least 30 days before elections, allowing electronic ballot returns, and providing a list of candidates for federal write-in absentee ballots. The legislation also emphasizes the importance of ballot secrecy and outlines the Secretary of State's responsibilities in facilitating these processes.

Additionally, the bill amends existing election laws related to absentee ballot processing and verification. It allows for the opening of return envelopes upon receipt while ensuring that ballot tabulation begins only after the election deadline. The bill mandates secure storage of return envelopes and requires verification of postmarks and signatures before processing. Notably, it removes the option for overseas voters to return ballots via fax or email and introduces new training requirements for signature verification personnel. The legislation also clarifies the validity of ballots in cases of missing or illegible postmarks and establishes an expiration date for certain provisions, ensuring a streamlined and secure voting experience for military and overseas voters.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 29A.04.109, 29A.04.151, 29A.04.163, 29A.04.210, 29A.08.107, 29A.40.050, 29A.40.070, 29A.40.091, 29A.40.110
Substitute Bill: 29A.04.109, 29A.04.151, 29A.04.163, 29A.04.210, 29A.08.107, 29A.40.050, 29A.40.070, 29A.40.091, 29A.40.110