The bill amends Washington's voter registration laws to improve the management of voter registration lists and the process for challenging registrations. A significant change is that the registrations of deceased voters can only be removed from the official state voter registration list upon receipt of a signed statement from a registered voter, which must be confirmed by the county auditor or secretary of state. The bill also establishes new procedures for county auditors to reactivate inactive voters and specifies conditions for canceling inactive registrations, such as confirmation of death or registration in another state.

Additionally, the bill introduces stricter requirements for filing challenges to voter registrations, mandating that challenges be based on personal knowledge and supported by evidence, including a signed affidavit for each challenged voter. It outlines detailed procedures for notifying challenged voters and conducting hearings, emphasizing the need to verify eligibility before scheduling hearings. Challenges lacking probable cause will be dismissed without a hearing. The bill also imposes penalties for challengers who provide false information or challenge registrations without reasonable cause, and it requires the Secretary of State to provide specific forms for voter registration challenges. All challenges must be resolved before election certification, with the decisions of county auditors or canvassing boards being final, subject only to judicial review.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 29A.08.510, 29A.08.630, 29A.08.810, 29A.08.820, 29A.08.835, 29A.08.840, 29A.08.850, 29A.08.135
Substitute Bill: 29A.08.510, 29A.08.630, 29A.08.810, 29A.08.820, 29A.08.835, 29A.08.840, 29A.08.850, 29A.08.135