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WashingtonSB 50142025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning election security.

Sponsored By: Matt Boehnke (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Counties must keep voting equipment isolated

County auditors must isolate ballot-counting equipment and voting system parts from county networks, shared-printer networks, and the internet. Isolation also covers Wi-Fi, radio, wired, and phone connections; voting systems cannot be configured to connect to outside networks or devices. Auditors must buy voting systems with documented security settings and network safety practices, and follow them during primaries and elections. All data transfers from voting systems must use single-use devices, such as flash drives, erased and empty before connection. These devices must come from the Secretary of State for single use or be overwritten by auditors under state rules.

Counties must secure election websites and networks

Washington county auditors must use .gov for election and voting systems, websites, and infrastructure by July 1, 2027. Counties may also use .gov for all county computer systems and email. Auditors must separate either their whole office and its technology, or election technology, from other county assets. Counties must adopt these measures as soon as practical, with July 1, 2027, as the general deadline. The Secretary of State must consult auditors on what to separate and can extend a county's network-separation deadline when needed.

Election technology providers must report breaches immediately

The law takes effect July 27, 2025. Covered manufacturers, distributors, and support contractors for Washington voter registration databases, the official voter list, or state voter registration systems must report qualifying breaches. They must notify Washington's Secretary of State and Attorney General immediately after discovery. Reporting is required when a breach compromises, or is reasonably likely to compromise, an election's security, confidentiality, or integrity in any state. It is also required when an unauthorized person acquired, or is reasonably believed to have acquired, unsecured personal information of residents in any state.

Election tools face broader, more flexible reviews

The Secretary of State must approve covered voting systems, voting devices, and vote-counting systems before use in Washington primaries or elections. Approval also covers tools for issuing ballots, sending required notices, signing ballot declarations electronically, and identifying voters. Systems approved under the specified former law before March 22, 1982, are exempt. After reviewing a system or component change, the Secretary of State can decide that full reexamination or reapproval is unnecessary.

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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