BILL · 2023–24 SESSION

SB 5843: Election security breaches

Concerning security breaches of election systems and election-related systems.

Summary

Requires every county to install and maintain an intrusion detection system to monitor their network and to disclose certain malicious activity or breaches of security of information technology systems.
Authorizes the Secretary of State to certify the results of an election if a county canvassing board refuses to certify the results of the election without cause.
Establishes violations and penalties related to election interference, including prohibited interference by election observers, destruction of voted ballots and certain election supplies and materials, interference with the operation of a voting center, and unauthorized access to election administration locations and systems.

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

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 28, Laws of 2024

AN ACT Relating to security breaches of election systems and election-related systems;

Passed February 2, 2024

Version voted on: SB 5843

46 Yea 3 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	29	0	0	0
Republican	17	3	0	0

How each member voted

Passed February 27, 2024

Version voted on: SB 5843

58 Yea 37 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	58	0	0	0
Republican	0	37	0	3

How each member voted

Mar 13, 2024Effective date 6/6/2024.
Mar 13, 2024Chapter 28, 2024 Laws.
Mar 13, 2024Governor signed.
Mar 7, 2024Delivered to Governor.
Feb 29, 2024Speaker signed.
Feb 28, 2024President signed.
Feb 27, 2024Third reading, passed; yeas, 58; nays, 37; absent, 0; excused, 3.
Feb 27, 2024Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Feb 24, 2024Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Feb 21, 2024Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Feb 20, 2024Minority; without recommendation.
Feb 20, 2024Minority; do not pass.
Feb 20, 2024SGOV - Majority; do pass.
Feb 20, 2024SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.
Feb 6, 2024First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
Feb 2, 2024Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 0.
Feb 2, 2024Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Jan 30, 2024Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Jan 15, 2024Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 12, 2024SGE - Majority; do pass.
Jan 8, 2024First reading, referred to State Government & Elections.
Dec 14, 2023Prefiled for introduction.

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 (2021–22) False election statements · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
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