Bill > HB1584

This bill aims to end vote by mail for nonabsentee voters and restore in-person voting at polling places and voting centers in Washington state. The bill fundamentally changes the state's voting system by limiting absentee ballot eligibility to specific groups such as voters over 65, those with disabilities, military personnel, students living outside the county, incarcerated individuals with voting rights, and those working during polling hours. County auditors will be required to approve absentee ballot requests only for these specific categories. The legislation emphasizes ballot security and seeks to restore trust in the electoral process by requiring most voters to vote in person at designated polling places. The bill introduces detailed provisions for polling place operations, including requirements for election officers, voter identification, ballot handling, and accessibility for disabled voters. Political party observers will be allowed to monitor the voting process, and new procedures are established for ballot counting and storage. The bill also mandates that most voters must provide valid photo identification before voting and vote at designated polling places, with only a limited group of voters eligible to request absentee ballots. The overall intent is to create a more controlled, in-person voting environment that the bill's authors believe will reduce potential fraud and increase election integrity.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1584&Year=2025&Initiative=false