The bill aims to strengthen the integrity of the voter registration process in Washington State by implementing stricter guidelines for voter registration challenges and modifying how county auditors handle cases of individuals registered in other states. Key amendments include a requirement that a registered voter can only file a claim of another voter's death if it is confirmed by the county auditor or secretary of state. Additionally, challenges to a voter's registration must be based on personal knowledge, and challengers are required to provide evidence of due diligence in verifying residency. The bill introduces penalties for those who knowingly provide false information or challenge a registration without reasonable cause, and it establishes that each challenge must be filed separately with specific information about both the challenger and the challenged voter.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for individuals who have previously registered to vote in another state. It mandates that applicants for voter registration in Washington must provide information to cancel their previous registration and that the state elections office be notified of the prior state of registration. County auditors are now required to send a notice to voters found registered in another state, changing their status to inactive rather than immediately canceling their registration. Voters will only be removed from the official list if they do not respond to the notice and fail to vote or confirm their registration address during the next two general elections. The bill emphasizes that official information regarding a voter's registration status must come from a government or state-led interstate source.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 29A.08.510, 29A.08.630, 29A.08.810, 29A.08.840, 29A.08.850, 29A.08.135