WashingtonHB 17102025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning compliance with the Washington voting rights act of 2018.

Sponsored By: Sharlett Mena (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

State review protects Washington minority voters

Beginning June 11, 2026, designated Washington local governments must get the attorney general’s clearance before adopting or carrying out covered election changes. Coverage uses a 25-year lookback for voting-rights violations established through court orders, government enforcement, court-approved agreements, or settlements acknowledging liability. It also covers governments found to have skipped required clearance while designated during that period. Covered changes include election methods, district boundaries, language assistance, and government structures affecting representation. Jurisdiction boundary changes qualify when they reduce a protected group’s share of voting-age citizens by more than five percentage points within 12 months. Certain post-census decisions keeping at-large elections or failing to update required district plans also qualify. Voter-approved initiatives and other actions that deny or weaken voting rights based on race, color, or language-minority status are covered. Clearance requires preserving protected groups’ ability to participate and elect preferred candidates, while complying with applicable law. A policy cannot take effect before clearance; no objection within 60 days can count as clearance. For good cause, review can be expedited or extended twice by 90 days each, reaching 240 days total. The attorney general identifies covered governments by July 1 of every even-numbered year, consulting state agencies and using the best available census or comparable government data. Coverage starts when written notice is sent. A public website, updated twice yearly, lists covered governments, policy requests, supporting documents, and outcomes. The law is void unless the state’s omnibus budget provides specific funding referencing it by June 30, 2026.

Voters gain lawsuits over election changes

Beginning June 11, 2026, affected people can sue over unlawful state clearance or make covered governments seek required clearance. Organizations can sue when their members are affected or a violation frustrates their mission, without naming specific members. Courts review the attorney general’s decision from scratch and can pause a policy while the case proceeds. The attorney general can sue to stop policies lacking clearance and force compliance. A covered government can seek fast court review of an objection, and courts can pause implementation during appeal. Only that government can appeal or intervene in the objection-review pathway. Clearance does not itself rule out later court challenges or orders blocking a policy, subject to the separate four-year limit. The law is void unless the state’s omnibus budget provides specific funding referencing it by June 30, 2026.

Approved election rules get limited lawsuit protection

Beginning June 11, 2026, approved election policies generally get four years of protection from lawsuits against the local government. The period starts with state clearance or a court decision upholding it, whichever comes later. This gives governments stability but limits affected voters’ ability to challenge the same policy during that period. Protection does not cover policy changes or departures that create grounds for a new voting-rights case. It also does not block appeals challenging the clearance itself or actions brought by the attorney general. The law is void unless the state’s omnibus budget provides specific funding referencing it by June 30, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Sharlett Mena
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Alex Ramel
Democratic • House
April Berg
Democratic • House
Beth Doglio
Democratic • House
Brianna Thomas
Democratic • House
Chipalo Street
Democratic • House
Cindy Ryu
Democratic • House
Darya Farivar
Democratic • House
Edwin Obras
Democratic • House
Gerry Pollet
Democratic • House
Greg Nance
Democratic • House
Janice Zahn
Democratic • House
Joe Timmons
Democratic • House
Julia Reed
Democratic • House
Julio Cortes
Democratic • House
Kristine Reeves
Democratic • House
Lisa Parshley
Democratic • House
Liz Berry
Democratic • House
Mary Fosse
Democratic • House
Mia Gregerson
Democratic • House
Monica Jurado Stonier
Democratic • House
Natasha Hill
Democratic • House
Nicole Macri
Democratic • House
Osman Salahuddin
Democratic • House
Roger Goodman
Democratic • House
Shaun Scott
Democratic • House
Strom Peterson
Democratic • House
Tarra Simmons
Democratic • House
Timm Ormsby
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 97

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 57 • No: 39 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 2/12/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage