The "State Elections Confidence Using Rigorous Examination Act" aims to enhance the security and accuracy of voter registration in Washington State by mandating the Secretary of State to contract with the Evans School at the University of Washington for a comprehensive study on the security testing of the voter registration system. This study will identify potential gaps leading to duplicate registrations and recommend best practices for processing applications and maintaining accurate voter records, with findings due by January 1, 2027. The bill also amends existing laws to require proof of citizenship in specific documentary forms, introduce photo identification for voting, and establish protocols for notifying voters about identification deficiencies, thereby reinforcing the integrity of the electoral process.

In addition to voter registration reforms, the bill addresses the issuance and renewal of identicards, specifying that individuals under certain subsections will not be charged a fee for obtaining an identicard, while others will pay the actual production cost. The identicard will have a distinct design to differentiate it from a driver's license and will expire on the eighth anniversary of the applicant's birthdate. The bill allows for veteran status and medical alert designations on the identicard, outlines the renewal process, and includes provisions for cancellation in cases of misuse. It also grants the department authority to issue or renew identicards for periods other than eight years, establishing a fee structure for these cases. The act is officially designated as the "state elections confidence using rigorous examination (SECURE) act."

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 29A.08.010, 29A.08.350, 29A.40.091, 29A.40.160