Bill > SB5342

This bill proposes several changes to irrigation district elections in Washington state: 1. It allows any qualified district elector to vote by absentee ballot or through a mail-in election process, rather than requiring them to certify they cannot be present at the polling place on election day. 2. It allows irrigation districts to conduct elections using only mail-in ballots, rather than traditional polling places and absentee ballots. 3. It updates the requirements for absentee/mail-in ballots, including requiring a security envelope and a statement of qualifications that is certified under penalty of perjury. 4. It clarifies who is considered a qualified elector in districts with over 200,000 acres and under 200,000 acres, including allowing entities like corporations to designate an agent to vote on their behalf. 5. It establishes additional election security requirements for districts that have designated their own treasurer, including procedures for ballot boxes, tabulation, and voter challenges. 6. It creates new criminal penalties for violating certain election procedures, such as removing ballots from polling places or deceiving voters. Overall, the bill is aimed at modernizing and adding safeguards to irrigation district elections in Washington.