ESSB 5890 — Reducing ballot rejection rates through updates to ballot curing, canvassing, reporting, and outreach processes.

What this bill does

Requires county auditors to contact voters by phone or email, in addition to first class mail, when notifying voters that their ballot is unsigned or the signature does not match the one on file, if the voter's contact information is available. Directs the Secretary of State to adopt statewide standards for signature verification, a training manual for implementing the standards, and tools to confirm compliance with the standards and develop standardized forms for addressing incomplete declarations and updating signatures. Creates a work group to approve a uniform ballot envelope design. Requires that canvassing board meetings are held at times and locations that are accessible to the public. Requires county auditors to develop a community outreach plan to educate voters about signature verification requirements. Establishes numerous other measures to assist voters and election officials with signature verification requirements.

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

Floor votes

• House — Final Passage as Amended by the House · February 22, 2024
  93 yea · 0 nay · 5 not voting
• Senate — Final Passage as Amended by the House · March 4, 2024
  49 yea · 0 nay
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · January 24, 2024
  49 yea · 0 nay

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Other bills sponsored by Valdez

• SSB 5151 — Updating the executive team of the office of the secretary of state by adding signing authority to the chief of staff position.
• ESSB 5152 — Defining synthetic media in campaigns for elective office, and providing relief for candidates and campaigns.
• SB 5153 — Concerning uniform disclosure of records related to future voters and making conforming amendments related to participation of future voters in state primaries.
• SB 5251 — Streamlining the licensing process for a commercial driver's license by allowing the department to waive requirements for applicants that previously surrendered the license, allowing the license to be renewed online, and modifying the license test fees.
• SB 5252 — Making modifications necessary to comply with federal regulations regarding dissemination of federal bureau of investigation criminal history record information.