BILL · 2021–22 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5843

SB 5843: False election statements

Concerning public officials and candidates who knowingly make false statements and claims regarding the election process and results.

Summary

Prohibits candidates or elected officials from knowingly, recklessly, or maliciously making false statements regarding the election process or election results to produce lawless action, undermine election processes or results, or falsely claim entitlement to public office, punishable as a gross misdemeanor.
Causes any elected official convicted of the offense to vacate their office.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5843), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor

AN ACT Relating to public officials and candidates who knowingly make false statements and claims regarding the election process and results;

No recorded floor votes.

Feb 17, 2022Senate Rules "X" file. (SSB 5843)
Feb 17, 2022Senate Rules "X" file.
Feb 2, 2022Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5843)
Feb 2, 2022SGE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5843)
Feb 2, 2022Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5843)
Feb 2, 2022Minority; do not pass.
Feb 2, 2022SGE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Feb 2, 2022Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 13, 2022First reading, referred to State Government & Elections.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

SB 5843 (2025–26) Signature gatherers · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5843 (2023–24) Election security breaches · Enacted · Chapter 28, Laws of 2024
SB 5843 (2019–20) DSHS dev. disability clients · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5843 (2017–18) Legislative mailings/errors · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
SB 5843 (2015–16) Outdoor recreation · Enacted · Chapter 245, Laws of 2015
SB 5843 (2013–14) Tax preferences · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5843 (2011–12) College bound scholarships · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5843 (2009–10) Wildlife and recreation prog · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor