The bill amends existing laws regarding the requirements for signatures and addresses of petitioners and signature gatherers for ballot measures in Washington State. It introduces new sections that mandate each petition signature gatherer to sign a declaration affirming, under penalty of false swearing, that every petitioner has provided accurate information and has not been compensated for their signature. This aligns with practices in other states and aims to protect the integrity of the initiative and referendum process against fraud and mistakes. Additionally, the bill specifies that election officials must verify that the petitioner's residence address matches their voter registration address to ensure the validity of signatures.

Key amendments include changing the language from "penalty of law" to "penalty of false swearing" in the declarations, and requiring that each petition signature gatherer affirm that petitioners reviewed the signature sheet. The bill also outlines the process for verifying signatures, stating that signatures will be invalidated if the residence address does not match the voter registration or if required information is missing, while allowing for minor discrepancies to be overlooked. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the accountability and accuracy of the petition process in Washington State.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 29A.72.110, 29A.72.120, 29A.72.130