WashingtonHB 19162025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Amending voter registration challenges and managing voter registration lists.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Cleaner voter rolls after moves or deaths

Beginning June 11, 2026, a registration is canceled as deceased only after a signed statement and official confirmation. County auditors must cancel an inactive registration when death is confirmed, another state’s registration is reported, or the voter sends a signed request that matches the file. When you register in Washington after registering in another state, you must give the information to cancel the old registration, and Washington notifies that state. If another state officially reports you registered there more recently and the auditor can verify the match, the auditor cancels your Washington registration right away.

Stronger proof and penalties for challenges

Beginning June 11, 2026, voter challenges must rest on personal knowledge and proof. Address challenges must list the real home and include certified letters to the home and mailing addresses. Affidavits must be ink‑signed; use the official form (you can fill it online, but must print and sign). County auditors dismiss incomplete or groundless challenges and any challenge they can resolve by verifying eligibility. A hearing happens only if the auditor cannot confirm eligibility and the challenger shows probable cause, and the challenger must appear. The challenger must prove the claim beyond a reasonable doubt. If the voter does not reply within 10 days, the auditor sends a second certified notice. Inactive voters who did not get a ballot cannot be challenged. Knowingly false statements bring false‑swearing charges and fines up to $10,000; knowingly baseless challenges are a misdemeanor.

Public posting and cleanup of challenges

Beginning June 11, 2026, county auditors post the full text of each voter challenge on their website within 10 business days of receipt and notify subscribers after posting. Auditors may remove the online posting 45 days after the challenge is finished or dismissed. Records must still be kept for the required period and released on request.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Beth Doglio
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Lisa Parshley
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 95

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 58 • No: 38 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 2/10/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage