WA: Later voter registration deadlines OK

Washington is moving its voter registration deadlines closer to Election Day. The Senate gave the Legislature's final approval to a bill that allow eligible residents to register in person at the county auditor's office no later than eight days before the election. Current law is 15 days. The bill, Senate Bill 5270 also moves the deadline for new or amended online, mail-in and other registrations from 30 days before the election to 29 days. Secretary of State Sam Reed, who endorsed the measure put forward by the state's County Auditors, described the bill as

"a thoughtful and workable compromise between those who wanted election-day registration and those who wanted no change in current law. We believe this bill strikes a good balance between convenience for the voter and election integrity."

The Senate voted on Monday was 32 to 17. Republican Dan Swecker joined all Democrats in favor; the other Republicans opposed the measure. Governor Gregoire is expected to sign the bill within a week.