(1) If the county auditor chooses to forward ballots, as authorized by RCW
29A.40.091, the county auditor must utilize postal service endorsements that allow the ballots to be forwarded, allow the county auditor to receive the updated address information, and allow the return of ballots not capable of being forwarded. A voter may only vote a ballot specific to the address where he or she is registered to vote, rather than a ballot specific to a new address. The county auditor must include instructions substantially similar to the following:
If you have changed your permanent residence address, please contact your county auditor to ensure the ballot you receive in future elections contains the races and issues for your residential address. If you have any questions about your eligibility to vote in this election, please contact your county auditor.
(2) If the county auditor does not forward ballots, the envelope must clearly indicate the ballot is not to be forwarded. If the county auditor receives updated address information from the post office, the county auditor may send the voter a ballot specific to the address where the voter is registered to vote.
(3) If a ballot is returned or forwarded, the county auditor must, following certification of the election, either:
(a) Transfer the voter registration and send the voter an acknowledgment notice, if the updated address is within the county; or
(b) Place the voter on inactive status and send the voter a confirmation notice to all known addresses, if no updated address information was received or the updated address is outside the county.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 08-05-120, § 434-250-070, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08; 07-20-074, § 434-250-070, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; 07-12-032, § 434-250-070, filed 5/30/07, effective 6/30/07; 05-17-145, § 434-250-070, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]