WA People
BILL · 2023–24 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5890

SB 5890: Ballot rejection

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

Summary

  • 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 Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESSB 5890), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 269, Laws of 2024
  1. IntroducedJan 8, 2024
  2. Out of committeeJan 15, 2024
  3. Passed SenateJan 24, 2024
  4. Passed HouseFeb 22, 2024
  5. GovernorMar 26, 2024
  6. LawMar 26, 2024
Prime sponsor
Javier Valdez (D-46)
Introduced
January 8, 2024 in the Senate
Last action
March 26, 2024
Session law
Chapter 269, Laws of 2024
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5890, ESSB 5890

AN ACT Relating to reducing ballot rejection rates through updates to ballot curing, canvassing, reporting, and outreach processes;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Javier Valdez (D-46)

6 co-sponsors (6 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Senator D-22Manka Dhingra D-45Patty Kuderer D-48Joe Nguyen D-34T'wina Nobles D-28Jamie Pedersen D-43

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed January 24, 2024
Version voted on: ESSB 5890
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican20000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed February 22, 2024
Version voted on: ESSB 5890
93 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 5 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57001
Republican36004
How each member voted

Yea (93)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 4, 2024
Version voted on: ESSB 5890
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican20000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/6/2024*. (ESSB 5890)
  2. Chapter 269, 2024 Laws. (ESSB 5890)
  3. Governor signed. (ESSB 5890)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESSB 5890)
  5. Speaker signed. (ESSB 5890)
  6. President signed. (ESSB 5890)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 5890)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (ESSB 5890)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 5. (ESSB 5890)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5890)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (ESSB 5890)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESSB 5890)
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESSB 5890)
  14. SGOV - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESSB 5890)
  15. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee. (ESSB 5890)
  16. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations. (ESSB 5890)
  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 5890)
  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5890)
  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5890)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5890)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5890)
  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5890)
  25. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  26. SGE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5890)
  27. SGE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  28. First reading, referred to State Government & Elections.
  29. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5890 in other sessions

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

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