Bill > HB1916

This bill modifies Washington State's voter registration laws to improve the accuracy and management of voter lists, including clarifying procedures for canceling registrations of deceased voters, making it more difficult for voters to be challenged without proper cause, and standardizing the forms and processes for voter registration challenges. Specifically, it updates how deceased voter registrations are canceled, allowing for cancellation based on statements from other registered voters only after confirmation by election officials, and clarifies that inactive voter registrations can be canceled if the voter has died, registered in another state, or submitted a written request to cancel their registration. The bill also strengthens the requirements for challenging a voter's registration, mandating that challengers provide specific evidence of due diligence, such as sending certified mail to the voter's address, and requires challengers to file separate, detailed forms for each voter they challenge, subject to penalties for false swearing. Furthermore, it sets stricter timelines for publishing voter challenges online, requires county auditors to conduct initial reviews of challenges to dismiss those lacking merit, and mandates specific methods for notifying challenged voters, including certified mail and electronic communication, with clear instructions on how to confirm eligibility and the consequences of not responding. The bill also introduces penalties for challengers who knowingly provide false information or make challenges without reasonable cause, and clarifies that the burden of proof for a challenge rests on the challenger to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the registration is improper.