SB 5459: Concerning requests for records containing election information.

What this bill does

Creates a new Public Records Act (PRA) exemption for records regarding the infrastructure of a private entity submitted to elections officials, for 25 years after creation and when accompanied by a specific statement. Creates a new PRA exemption for voted ballots, or images, copies, photographs, or cast vote records of voted ballots. Specifies that PRA requests for records from the statewide voter registration database must be submitted to and fulfilled by the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS), not county elections officials. Repeals the requirement for the OSOS to develop statewide election data and reporting standards.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House: 3rd Reading & Final Passage · April 10, 2023
  58 yea · 40 nay
• Senate: 3rd Reading & Final Passage · February 28, 2023
  43 yea · 4 nay · 2 not voting

Track SB 5459 on OlympiaTrack

A free account adds the full hearing and amendment record, who testified, roll calls by member, and a list to track it on. Paid plans add a plain-English AI summary and email alerts when this bill moves.

Other bills sponsored by Hunt

• SSB 5106: Updating timelines for adopting county commissioner district boundaries following expansion from three to five commissioners.
• E2SSB 5112: Updating processes related to voter registration.
• SSB 5170: Concerning funding and expenditures for legislative organizations by legislators who serve as elected leaders of those organizations.
• SB 5180: Adopting the interstate teacher mobility compact. (REVISED FOR PASSED LEGISLATURE: Concerning the licensure and employment of out-of-state teachers.)
• SB 5432: Concerning the privacy of lottery players.