WashingtonHB 19162025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Amending voter registration challenges and managing voter registration lists.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Challenged voters face removal but correction rights

Beginning June 11, 2026, upheld challenges based on qualifying felony status, court-declared mental incompetence, age, or citizenship cancel registration. Any challenged ballot is not counted. For upheld address challenges, officials must let voters correct their registration and challenged ballots before certification. Without correction, registration becomes inactive and challenged ballots are not counted unless a corrected address arrives by the day before certification. A timely Washington address correction allows eligible races and measures to count; an out-of-state address cancels registration and excludes the ballot.

Challenged voters keep notice and hearing rights

Beginning June 11, 2026, auditors must dismiss improperly filed challenges or those without a legal factual basis and explain why. They may dismiss challenges that likely lack merit, while allowing refiling with more evidence. Voters receive challenge materials and ways to confirm eligibility; they can update addresses or register again until 8:00 p.m. on election day. A hearing requires unconfirmed eligibility and evidence showing probable cause; voters can respond through testimony or an affidavit. Challengers must attend and prove improper registration beyond a reasonable doubt, or the challenge is dismissed; final decisions remain subject to court review.

False voter challenges bring criminal penalties

Beginning June 11, 2026, knowingly giving false information in a voter challenge before or during an election is false swearing. A court may impose a fine of up to $10,000. Knowingly filing a challenge without reasonable cause is a misdemeanor. Each baseless challenge counts as a separate offense.

Public voter challenges get longer posting deadlines

Beginning June 11, 2026, county auditors must post each voter challenge's full content online within 10 business days. This replaces the 72-hour deadline, allowing more time before the public can see a filing online. Auditors must provide ongoing notices to interested parties. They may remove postings 45 days after a challenge ends or is dismissed. Records remain available through public records requests and must be kept for required retention periods.

Stricter evidence rules for voter challengers

Beginning June 11, 2026, registered voters can challenge only voters in their county; county prosecutors can also file challenges. Grounds are qualifying felony confinement without restored voting rights, court-declared mental incompetence, a wrong address, age under 18 by the next general election, or lack of U.S. citizenship. Each voter requires a separate signed challenge and an ink-signed affidavit under penalty of perjury, based on firsthand knowledge. Address challengers must identify the actual residence and document checks, including certified letters with return service to residential and separate mailing addresses. State templates are available, but the exact challenge form is not required; electronic templates must be printed and hand-signed. Challenges generally must arrive at least 45 days before an election; permitted later filings have a deadline of 10 days before the election or 10 days after database entry, whichever is later. Inactive voters who do not receive ballots cannot be challenged through this process.

Verified checks before removing voter registrations

Beginning June 11, 2026, election officials must confirm deaths before canceling registrations based on another voter's signed, sworn report. Deaths identified through government records or obituaries require a matching birth date or address and a recorded source. Auditors must immediately cancel Washington registrations after matching official records showing a newer registration in another state. Inactive registrations also must be canceled for confirmed deaths or signed cancellation requests or out-of-state move notices; voter-submitted notices require matching signatures. Inactive voters regain active status by reporting an address change, confirming residence, or voting or attempting to vote before two federal general elections pass. Without that action, auditors must cancel the registration.

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