The bill amends Washington's voter registration laws to enhance the management of voter registration lists and the process for challenging registrations. Key provisions include a requirement that the registration of deceased voters can only be canceled upon receipt of a signed statement from a registered voter, confirmed by the county auditor or secretary of state. The bill also outlines the process for returning inactive voters to active status and specifies conditions under which a county auditor must cancel a voter registration, such as confirmation of death or registration in another state.

Additionally, the bill introduces stricter requirements for filing challenges to a voter's registration, mandating that challenges be based on personal knowledge and requiring challengers to provide evidence of due diligence. It establishes new procedures for notifying challenged voters, including certified mail notifications, and heightens the burden of proof for challengers to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that a voter's registration is improper. The bill also includes penalties for challengers who provide false information or challenge a registration without reasonable cause, and it mandates that the Secretary of State provide specific forms for voter registration challenges.

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
Engrossed substitute: 29A.08.510, 29A.08.630, 29A.08.810, 29A.08.820, 29A.08.835, 29A.08.840, 29A.08.850, 29A.08.135
Bill as passed Legislature: 29A.08.510, 29A.08.630, 29A.08.810, 29A.08.820, 29A.08.835, 29A.08.840, 29A.08.850, 29A.08.135
Session law: 29A.08.510, 29A.08.630, 29A.08.810, 29A.08.820, 29A.08.835, 29A.08.840, 29A.08.850, 29A.08.135