The bill aims to streamline the voter registration challenge process in Washington State by implementing stricter requirements for filing challenges. It mandates that a registered voter can only claim another voter is deceased if this is confirmed by the county auditor or the secretary of state. Additionally, challenges must be based on personal knowledge, and challengers are required to provide evidence of due diligence in verifying the voter's residency. The bill introduces penalties for those who knowingly submit false information or challenge a registration without reasonable cause. County auditors are also tasked with dismissing improperly filed challenges and conducting an initial review before notifying the challenged voter through multiple communication methods.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the procedures for individuals who have previously registered to vote in another state. It requires these individuals to provide necessary information to cancel their prior registration when applying for voter registration in Washington. Instead of immediately canceling the registration of voters found to be registered in another state, county auditors must now send a notice and change the voter's status to inactive. 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 also emphasizes that information regarding a voter's registration in another state must originate 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