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WashingtonSB 50142025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning election security.

Sponsored By: Matt Boehnke (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

24/7 county network threat monitoring

Every county must run a passive intrusion detection system that watches its network 24/7/365. A trained security team must operate it and have access to incident‑response staff. The system must take in threat‑intelligence updates and support state, local, tribal, and territorial security needs.

Immediate breach reporting for elections

The law requires fast reporting of election‑related cyber incidents. Manufacturers, vendors, county auditors, and county IT directors must tell the Secretary of State and the Attorney General right away after discovery. Reports must be made as fast as possible and without unreasonable delay. Triggers include intrusion‑detection alerts, blocked malicious domains, endpoint security warnings, and any breach that compromises election systems or residents’ personal data. The law defines “malicious activity” and “security breach” so everyone knows what must be reported.

Isolate election systems from all networks

By July 1, 2027, each county auditor must partition or isolate election IT from other county systems. Ballot counting equipment and voting system parts cannot connect to any other networks or the internet, including Wi‑Fi, radio, wired, printer‑sharing, or phone links. Voting systems cannot be set up to connect to any outside network or device. The Secretary of State will consult with counties on what to partition and may extend a county’s deadline if needed.

Safer voting equipment and data handling

Counties must buy voting systems that include written security configuration and network best‑practice guidance, and run them accordingly. Starting July 1, 2027, all data transfers from voting systems must use single‑use, erased removable media. The media must be provided by the Secretary of State for one‑time use or securely overwritten by the county under the Secretary’s rules.

State approval for all election tech

The Secretary of State must approve any system used to run primaries or elections before use. This includes voting machines, tally systems, and tools that issue ballots, help voters respond to notices, accept electronic ballot declaration signatures, or check voter IDs. The Secretary may allow small changes without full reapproval.

Use .gov for election sites and email

By July 1, 2027, county auditors must use the .gov domain for election websites, email, and related systems. This can also cover other county cyber assets and email domains.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matt Boehnke

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Wellman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marcus Riccelli

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 194 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/25/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/17/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 329, 2025 Laws.

    5/17/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/17/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/24/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/21/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/21/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/16/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/16/2025Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/16/2025Senate

  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/15/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/15/2025Senate

  14. Committee relieved of further consideration.

    4/15/2025Senate

  15. Referred to Appropriations.

    4/2/2025Senate

  16. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/1/2025Senate

  17. SGOV - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/1/2025Senate

  18. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.

    2/28/2025Senate

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/25/2025Senate

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/25/2025Senate

  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/25/2025Senate

  22. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/25/2025Senate

  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/19/2025Senate

  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/11/2025Senate

  25. SGTE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/7/2025Senate

Bill Text

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