WashingtonSB 56692025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning irrigation district elections.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Easier mail voting for district landowners

Any qualified irrigation district elector can vote by absentee ballot. Election notices state how to request a ballot in writing. A district board may run a mail-only election and will mail ballots using its records; if you did not get one, you can show proof at the main office by close of business the day before to receive a ballot. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by midnight on election day and received by the secretary within seven days. Your ballot must include a signed certificate with your name, age, citizenship, residence, and that you hold title to vote, signed under penalty of perjury; witness and “cannot attend” rules are removed.

More election info from your district

Districts that have designated their own treasurer must send an annual notice to qualified electors. The notice lists board members and term end dates, how to file as a candidate, and how voting works, including how to request an absentee ballot if not using mail-only voting. Each irrigation district must also keep an election website with board names, election rules, results, and contact info. Districts use their assessment roll or other records to send notices. In some cases, they may notify an assessment-paying entity instead of each landowner.

Stronger ballot security and transparency

In districts that have named their own treasurer, two non-candidates must be present whenever ballots are received, opened, counted, or processed. Ballot boxes are locked, clearly labeled, sealed with tamper-evident seals, and tracked with paper seal logs kept for six months. Ballots are opened only after polls close, in batches; totals are reconciled; and counted, uncounted, and challenged ballots are stored separately. The canvass is open to public observation, and the verification date and time must be posted for at least two weeks. Districts must adopt written vote‑challenge rules (post outcomes within seven days) and a written timeline to cure ballot errors, and must keep election, challenge, and cure records public for six months. It is a gross misdemeanor to willfully break these security rules, remove a ballot without authority, or deceive a voter or record a vote other than as marked.

New election dates: filing and canvass

The deadline to file for irrigation district director is 5:00 p.m. on the first Monday in October. Boards must canvass election returns on the second Wednesday after the election, instead of the first Monday. Plan around the earlier filing deadline and the later canvass date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Nikki Torres
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Judy Warnick
Republican • Senate
Mark Schoesler
Republican • Senate
Perry Dozier
Republican • Senate
Shelly Short
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 134 • No: 11

House vote • 4/15/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 85 • No: 11 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2025