Elections Rulemaking
Rulemaking
When the Washington State Legislature passes a bill that is signed by the Governor, it becomes state law as part of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). To implement the requirements of state law, state agencies may adopt or revise Washington Administrative Code (WAC) to create procedures to implement legal requirements as authorized by state law through the official rulemaking process in accordance with the Washington Administrative Procedure Act (RCW 34.05). WACs adopted by the Office of the Secretary of State can be found in Chapter 434 WAC.Â
How to participate in the rulemaking process:
- Submit feedback or testimony about proposed WACs to [email protected] or via postal mail to:
Washington Secretary of State
Elections Division
PO Box 40229
Olympia, WA 98504-0229 - File a petition for adoption, amendment, or repeal of a WAC using this form.
- Attend public hearings to provide testimony.
Public Hearing Notice
Preproposal of Possible Rulemaking
This first stage of the rulemaking process notifies the public that a proposed rule change is being considered and the Elections Division's authority for doing so.
- CR-101 filed on September 21, 2023 available here.Â
- CR-101 filed on January 3, 2024 available here.Â
- CR-101 filed on January 3, 2024 available here.Â
- CR-101 filed on January 3, 2024 available here.Â
- CR-101 filed on February 7, 2024 available here.
To view all Washington State Register (WSR) preproposal filings (PREP) submitted by the Office of the Secretary of State, visit the Office of the Code Reviser's website.
Proposed WAC Amendments - Public Hearings
The second stage is to draft language and set a hearing date. After the proposed language is finalized, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (CR-102) is filed with the Office of the Code Reviser, which schedules a public hearing to hear testimony on the proposed WAC changes. After the hearing, all feedback and testimony are reviewed for potential revisions to the draft WAC language.Â
Filed CR-102 forms, proposed WAC amendments, and public hearing information will be posted here.
- CR-102 filed on July 31, 2023 available here. Withdrawal form filed on December 5, 2023 available here.
- CR-102 filed on May 1, 2024 available here. Associated CR-101 filed on July 31, 2023 available here.Â
- Public Hearing: 1:00 PM, June 4, 2024
Washington Secretary of State,
Washington State Library
6880 Capitol Blvd. SE
Tumwater, WA 98501 - Request for accommodation deadline: 5:00 PM, June 3, 2024
- Pre-submitted public comment deadline: 5:00 PM, June 3, 2024
- Proposed rules in response to Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5890 (2024):
- WSR 24-10-116Â
- OTS-5396.1 -Â WAC 434-208-060: Electronic filings.
- OTS-5398.2 -Â WAC 434-261-051: Standards for verifying ballot declaration signatures.
- OTS-5398.2 -Â WAC 434-261-052: Initial and secondary review of ballot declaration signatures.
- OTS-5398.2 -Â WAC 434-261-053: Ballot declaration signature cure process.
- OTS-5397.2 -Â WAC 434-262-031: Rejection of ballots or parts of ballots.
- WSR 24-10-116Â
- Proposed amendments to this chapter:
- Expand and enumerate the requirements to verify a provided signature on a ballot declaration matches the signature provided on a voter registration record.
- Clarify the process if a County Auditor receives a ballot envelope signed with a different name from what is on the voter registration record.
- Require the County Auditor to contact voters via four methods in cases of ballot signature mismatches and updates the timeline for phone calls to voters who have not returned a signature cure letter.
- Require the County Auditor to contact voters via four methods in cases of a ballot declaration signature not matching the signature on the voter registration record for two elections in a row.
- Amend for the purpose of administrative updates.
- Public Hearing: 1:00 PM, June 4, 2024
To view all Washington State Register (WSR) proposed rule amendments (PROP) submitted by the Office of the Secretary of State, visit the Office of the Code Reviser's website.
Recent Rulemaking
Following the public hearing, final WAC changes are submitted by filing a CR-103 form with the Office of the Code Reviser for adoption. 31 days after they have been adopted, the WACs become effective.
The following WAC amendments were adopted March 8, 2024 and effective May 4:Â
- WSR 24-07-018
- OTS-4827.4Â - WAC 434-261-051 (New section): Standards for verifying ballot declaration signatures.Â
- OTS-4827.4Â - WAC 434-261-052 (New section): Initial and secondary review of ballot declaration signatures.
- OTS-4827.4 - WAC 434-261-053 (New section): Ballot declaration signature cure process.Â
- OTS-4841.2Â - WAC 434-262-032: Provisional ballots - Disposition.Â
- OTS-4842.3Â - WAC 434-250-120: Verification of the signature and return date.Â
- OTS-4843.3Â - WAC 434-262-031: Rejection of ballots or parts of ballots.Â
- OTS-4844.1Â - WAC 434-324-111: Voluntary cancellation of voter registration.Â
- OTS-4845.1Â - WAC 434-264-010: Recount.Â
- OTS-4846.1Â - WAC 434-261-050Â (Repeal): Unsigned ballot declaration or mismatched signatures.
These rules expand and enumerate the requirements to verify a provided signature on a ballot declaration matches the signature provided on a voter registration record and update the signature cure process.
The following WAC amendments were adopted February 7, 2024 and effective March 9:
- WSR 24-04-097
- OTS-4871.5 -Â WAC 434-379-005: Filing of an initiative or referendum - Fee - Required documents.Â
- OTS-4888.4 -Â WAC 434-379-0071Â (New Section): Maintenance of initiative and referendum series and assignment of serial numbers.Â
These rules institute random assignment of initiative numbers and update the filing fee. The filing fee has been unchanged since 1913 and will be updated using the rate of inflation. Changing the number assignment system will clarify the difference between the two types of initiatives, year of filing, and employ a randomly assigned number.
The following WAC amendments were adopted January 10, 2024 and effective February 10:Â
- WSR 24-03-053
- OTS-4856.2 - WAC 434-208-060: Electronic filings.
- OTS-4855.4 - WAC 434-215-040: Filing notification.
- OTS-4849.1 - WAC 434-215-065: Withdrawal of candidacy.
- OTS-4850.1 - WAC 434-230-025: Order of offices.
- OTS-4851.3 - WAC 434-232-040: Information pertaining to primary-only voters, when disclosable.
- OTS-4847.1 - WAC 434-261-005: Definitions.
- OTS-4857.1 - WAC 434-324-090: Cancellation due to death - Process.Â
- OTS-4854.2 - WAC 434-381-120: Deadlines.Â
These rules update election administration processes in accordance with legislative amendments and ensure consistency in operations in all county elections offices.
The following WAC amendments were adopted September 27, 2023 and effective October 28:Â
- WSR 23-20-040
- OTS-4838.1Â - WAC 434-261-114: Definitions.
- OTS-4839.3Â - WAC 434-261-115: Risk-limiting audits for county races and measures.
- OTS-4840.2Â - WAC 434-261-116: Risk-limiting audits for state races and measures.Â
These rules update the processes for conducting risk-limiting audits for state and county races and measures.
The following WAC amendments were adopted July 7, 2023 and effective August 7:
- WSR 23-15-018
- OTS-4413.1Â - WAC 434-215-180: Write-in candidates.
- OTS-4414.1Â - WAC 434-219-120: Certification of candidates.
- OTS-4416.1Â - WAC 434-230-100: Political party precinct committee officer.
- OTS-4417.3Â - WAC 434-261-125: Free access system for provisional ballots.Â
- OTS-4418.3Â - WAC 434-263-005: Purpose.
- OTS-4419.4Â - WAC 434-263-010: Definitions.Â
- OTS-4420.2Â - WAC 434-324-031: Electronic voter registration.
- OTS-4423.1Â - WAC 434-335-280: Logic and accuracy test conduct.Â
- OTS-4424.1Â - WAC 434-324-045: Verification of applicant's identity.Â
- OTS-4425.1Â - WAC 434-324-108: Incapacitated persons lacking voting rights - Notice from court.Â
- OTS-4582.1Â - WAC 434-250-350: Student engagement hubs.Â
These rules update statutory references in WAC to recodified federal and state statute.