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WashingtonSB 58922025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning protection of the voter registration database.

Sponsored By: Marcus Riccelli (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Election security records face disclosure limits

The law shields election security information from public disclosure, limiting what record requesters can obtain. Entire election continuity plans and physical-security or cybersecurity audits, risk assessments, and test results are exempt. Technical portions of records about election systems, software, and networks are exempt when disclosure could increase risks to election integrity. Private entities' infrastructure records submitted to election officials are exempt for 25 years after creation. They must include an express statement identifying the infrastructure information and warning that disclosure may increase risks to election integrity. These exemptions do not cover security-breach records or block election audits authorized or required by state election law. Beginning March 25, 2026, requests for statewide voter database records or existing reports must go to the Secretary of State. County election offices cannot produce them and must redirect requesters by the state public-records response deadline. A knowing violation breaks the state's voter-database misuse law.

Stronger voter privacy limits public access

Beginning March 25, 2026, Washington voter registration records must keep certain personal details confidential. These include Washington driver's license and ID card numbers, Social Security numbers, and full birthdates. Disclosure is allowed to state or local election officers and election officials, or with the Secretary of State's approval. An election officer or designee who knowingly breaks this confidentiality rule commits a class C felony. Election officers and designees with county or statewide database access also face a class C felony for knowingly using, sharing, or changing data outside their duties. The law also exempts voter signatures on ballot return envelopes, ballot declarations, and signature correction forms from public disclosure. This covers originals, copies, and electronic images; the Secretary of State can allow in-person inspection of these unredacted documents. Voted ballots and their images, copies, photographs, facsimile images, and cast vote records are also exempt from disclosure. That protection runs from ballot return through storage and destruction after any retention period or litigation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marcus Riccelli

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jamie Pedersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

  • Noel Frame

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Vandana Slatter

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 116 • No: 74

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 2/28/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 57 • No: 36 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 2/5/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 29 • No: 19 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 3/25/2026.

    3/25/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 213, 2026 Laws.

    3/25/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/25/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/9/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 57; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 5.

    2/28/2026Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/28/2026Senate

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

    2/28/2026Senate

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

    2/25/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/23/2026Senate

  14. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/20/2026Senate

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    2/20/2026Senate

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

    2/20/2026Senate

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

    2/9/2026Senate

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/5/2026Senate

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/5/2026Senate

  20. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    1/28/2026Senate

  21. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    1/26/2026Senate

  22. Minority; do not pass.

    1/23/2026Senate

  23. SGTE - Majority; do pass.

    1/23/2026Senate

  24. First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.

    1/12/2026Senate

  25. Prefiled for introduction.

    12/16/2025Senate

Bill Text

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