The bill seeks to enhance protections against voter suppression and vote dilution under the Washington Voting Rights Act by amending various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). It introduces new legal language that acknowledges historical discrimination and socioeconomic disparities impacting voting rights, while defining terms such as "election policy or practice" and "electoral system." The legislation asserts that no election policy should impose a material disparate burden on protected classes and allows for remedies to be pursued without the necessity of proving discriminatory intent.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the obligations of political subdivisions to amend their electoral systems in response to potential violations, mandating public notice and hearings for any changes. It establishes a process for these subdivisions to seek court approval for their proposed remedies, ensuring that if a remedy is compliant, no further actions can be initiated for four years, barring any modifications. The bill also facilitates joint actions by coalitions of protected classes and clarifies that plaintiffs may bypass certain notice requirements in specific situations. Importantly, it repeals the previous election method under RCW 29A.92.020, thereby streamlining the legal framework for electoral compliance.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 29A.92.005, 29A.92.010, 29A.92.030, 29A.92.040, 29A.92.050, 29A.76.010, 29A.92.070, 29A.92.080, 29A.92.090, 29A.92.100, 29A.92.110, 29A.92.130, 29A.92.020