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Chapter 434-250 WAC

Last Update: 3/8/24

ELECTIONS BY MAIL

WAC Sections

HTMLPDF434-250-025Broken or missing seals.
HTMLPDF434-250-030Special absentee ballots.
HTMLPDF434-250-035Protected records voters.
HTMLPDF434-250-037Mail ballot certification.
HTMLPDF434-250-045Voters requiring verification of identity.
HTMLPDF434-250-070Forwarding ballots.
HTMLPDF434-250-080Replacement and reissued ballots.
HTMLPDF434-250-095Direct recording electronic voting devices.
HTMLPDF434-250-100Ballot deposit sites.
HTMLPDF434-250-105Voting centers.
HTMLPDF434-250-110Processing ballots.
HTMLPDF434-250-120Verification of the signature and return date.
HTMLPDF434-250-130Maintenance of an audit trail.
HTMLPDF434-250-140Ballot process to be expedited.
HTMLPDF434-250-200Return postage.
HTMLPDF434-250-320Locations to deposit ballots.
HTMLPDF434-250-350Student engagement hubs.
HTMLPDF434-250-370Hub reimbursement program.
HTMLPDF434-250-380Disclosure of voter signatures.
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
434-250-010Purpose. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-010, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-250-020Definitions. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 06-23-094, § 434-250-020, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-020, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-250-040Instructions to voters. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-250-040, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10; WSR 09-03-110, § 434-250-040, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09; WSR 08-15-052, § 434-250-040, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; WSR 07-24-044, § 434-250-040, filed 11/30/07, effective 12/31/07; WSR 07-09-036, § 434-250-040, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07; WSR 06-23-094, § 434-250-040, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-040, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-250-050Envelopes. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-250-050, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10; WSR 09-03-110, § 434-250-050, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09; WSR 08-15-052, § 434-250-050, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; WSR 07-24-044, § 434-250-050, filed 11/30/07, effective 12/31/07; WSR 07-09-036, § 434-250-050, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-050, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-250-060Service and overseas voters. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 06-23-094, § 434-250-060, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06; WSR 06-14-050, § 434-250-060, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-060, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.] Repealed by WSR 07-20-074, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611.
434-250-085Provisional ballots issued before election day. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 06-14-046, § 434-250-085, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-250-090Absentee ballots issued after the poll lists have been marked. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-090, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-250-150Ranked choice voting. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 08-15-052, § 434-250-150, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08.] Repealed by WSR 10-14-091, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041.
434-250-300Elections by mail. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-300, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-250-310Notice of elections by mail. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-250-310, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10; WSR 08-15-052, § 434-250-310, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; WSR 07-20-074, § 434-250-310, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; WSR 07-12-032, § 434-250-310, filed 5/30/07, effective 6/30/07; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-310, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-250-330County auditor's office as a voting center. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041. WSR 10-14-091, § 434-250-330, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 07-20-074, § 434-250-330, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; WSR 07-12-032, § 434-250-330, filed 5/30/07, effective 6/30/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.530. WSR 06-02-028, § 434-250-330, filed 12/28/05, effective 1/28/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-330, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-250-340Manual count of selected precincts. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 06-11-042, § 434-250-340, filed 5/10/06, effective 6/10/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.530. WSR 06-02-028, § 434-250-340, filed 12/28/05, effective 1/28/06.] Repealed by WSR 07-20-074, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611.
434-250-360Hub grant program. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 20-19-045, § 434-250-360, filed 9/10/20, effective 10/11/20.] Repealed by WSR 21-21-001, filed 10/6/21, effective 11/6/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611.

PDF434-250-025

Broken or missing seals.

If a seal is missing or broken without authority, all subsequent steps taken must be documented and included in a report to the canvassing board.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 06-14-050, § 434-250-025, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06.]


PDF434-250-030

Special absentee ballots.

(1) As authorized by RCW 29A.40.050, requests for a special absentee ballot must be made in writing and each county auditor must provide the applications. The form must include:
(a) A space for the voter to print the voter's name and address where registered to vote;
(b) A postal or mailing address;
(c) A space for an overseas or service voter not registered to vote in Washington to indicate the voter's last residential address in Washington;
(d) A checkbox indicating that the voter will be unable to vote and return a regular ballot by normal delivery within the period provided for regular ballots; and
(e) A checkbox requesting that a regular ballot be forwarded as soon as possible.
(2) The county auditor shall honor any application for a special absentee ballot that is in substantial compliance with the provisions of this section. Any application for a special absentee ballot received more than ninety days prior to a primary or general election may be either returned to the applicant with the explanation that the request is premature or held by the auditor until the appropriate time for processing. When regular mail ballots are available, a signed request for a special absentee ballot is not required.
(3) Upon receipt of a special absentee ballot request, a regular ballot is mailed if available. If regular ballots are not available, the county auditor shall immediately send a special absentee ballot containing the known offices and measures scheduled to appear on the ballot; space for the voter to write in the name of any eligible candidate for each office and vote on any measure; and a list of any known candidates and issues referred to the ballot.
(4) If a regular ballot is returned, the special ballot is not counted.
(5) Write-in votes on special ballots are counted in the same manner as other valid write-in votes for declared candidates.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 19-12-115, § 434-250-030, filed 6/5/19, effective 7/6/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.24.091, 29A.24.311, 29A.60.021, 29A.60.185, 29A.60.170, 29A.60.110, and 29A.60.235. WSR 19-01-102, § 434-250-030, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/18/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-030, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.255. WSR 11-05-008, § 434-250-030, filed 2/3/11, effective 3/6/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041. WSR 10-14-091, § 434-250-030, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 07-20-074, § 434-250-030, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; WSR 07-09-036, § 434-250-030, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07; WSR 06-14-047, § 434-250-030, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-030, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]


PDF434-250-035

Protected records voters.

(1) At least eighteen days before every special, primary, or general election, authorized personnel shall review all protected records voter files and forward the appropriate ballot for each protected records voter via the substitute mailing address.
(2) The ballot, ballot security envelope, and return envelope must be placed in an envelope addressed to the substitute address. The return envelope shall be marked in a manner that ensures that the returned ballot will be segregated and routed to the authorized personnel for processing.
(3) The voted ballot for a protected records voter shall be processed by county authorized personnel. The authorized personnel shall maintain a record of ballots sent to protected records voters and a record of ballots returned. This record shall be maintained in accordance with WAC 434-324-034.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-035, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 09-03-110, § 434-250-035, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09.]


PDF434-250-037

Mail ballot certification.

Pursuant to RCW 29A.40.070, the county auditor shall certify to the secretary of state the date ballots were mailed:
(1) On the day of mailing or forty-five or thirty days before election day, whichever deadline is applicable, certify that ballots were sent to service and overseas voters. For elections that include a federal office, the certification must include the number of ballots mailed or issued to service and overseas voters;
(2) On the day of mailing or eighteen days before election day, certify that ballots were mailed or issued to regular voters;
(3) That ballots issued via electronic ballot delivery systems were proofed and checked for accuracy prior to the mailing deadline for service and overseas ballots; and
(4) If any ballots were not mailed or issued by the applicable deadlines, the reason for the delay and steps taken to remedy the delay.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 17-12-090, § 434-250-037, filed 6/6/17, effective 7/7/17; WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-037, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14.]


PDF434-250-045

Voters requiring verification of identity.

(1) If the voter registration record is flagged as requiring verification of identity, a notice must be sent at the time of the election explaining that a photocopy of identification must be provided in order for the ballot to be counted, and listing what forms of identification are acceptable. The county auditor may provide an inner envelope separate from the security envelope for return of the photocopy of the identification.
(2) The notice to the voter must be in substantially the following form:
Dear Voter:
 
[date]
Based on your recent registration, federal law requires that you provide identification with your ballot. If you fail to provide identification, your ballot will not be counted.
Please provide your driver's license number, Washington state identification card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or a photocopy of one of the following:
•
Valid photo identification;
•
A valid enrollment card of a federally recognized tribe in Washington;
•
A current utility bill;
•
A current bank statement;
•
A current government check;
•
A current paycheck; or
•
A government document, other than a voter registration card, that shows both your name and address.
You may return a photocopy with your ballot but, in order to protect the secrecy of your ballot, do not place the photocopy inside the security envelope.
If you do not provide a copy of your identification, your ballot will not be counted.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the County Auditor's Office at .
(3) If the voter provides one of the acceptable forms of identification no later than the day before certification of the election, the flag on the voter registration record must be removed and the ballot must be counted.
(4) If the voter fails to provide one of the acceptable forms of identification by the day prior to certification of the election, the ballot shall not be counted. If the voter provides one of the acceptable forms of identification at a later date, the ballot cast in that election shall not be counted but the flag on the voter registration record must be removed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-045, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 09-03-110, § 434-250-045, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09; WSR 07-02-100, § 434-250-045, filed 1/3/07, effective 2/3/07.]
Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency.


PDF434-250-070

Forwarding ballots.

(1) The county auditor must utilize postal service endorsements that allow ballots to be forwarded, allow the county auditor to receive the updated address information for forwarded ballots, 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 currently registered to vote, rather than a ballot specific to a new address.
(2) 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. WSR 19-12-115, § 434-250-070, filed 6/5/19, effective 7/6/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-070, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 08-05-120, § 434-250-070, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08; WSR 07-20-074, § 434-250-070, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; WSR 07-12-032, § 434-250-070, filed 5/30/07, effective 6/30/07; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-070, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]


PDF434-250-080

Replacement and reissued ballots.

The county auditor shall issue a replacement ballot, as authorized by RCW 29A.40.070, if the request is received prior to 8:00 p.m. on election day. Requests may be made in person, in writing, by telephone, or electronically, by the voter, a family member, or a registered domestic partner.
The request for a replacement ballot does not update the voter's ballot type or style. The replacement ballot becomes the voter's current ballot and the original ballot is suspended. However, should the original ballot be received first, it shall be processed.
The county auditor shall reissue a new ballot when the registered voter has taken action to update their voter registration and the ballot type or style has changed. After the deadline for mail and online registration, a person who is already registered to vote in Washington must request a reissued ballot in person. The reissued ballot becomes the current ballot and all other ballots are suspended.
No additional ballot may be issued to a voter whose ballot has already been accepted. If the voter asserts they have not voted and requests a ballot, then a provisional ballot must be issued pursuant to WAC 434-262-032.
Each county auditor shall allow access to an electronic ballot system to both active and inactive voters for replacement ballots no later than the eighth day prior to election day.
If a voter appears in person at a county auditor's office before 8:00 p.m. election day and requests a ballot, the county auditor must determine if the voter is registered to vote in Washington.
(1) If the voter is registered in the same county, issue a replacement or reissued ballot.
(2) If the voter is registered in another county, and the voter does not wish to update their registration, access and print a replacement ballot from that county, if the electronic ballot system is available.
(3) If the voter is not registered within the state, the county auditor shall register the voter and issue a current ballot.
The current ballot shall be accepted for initial processing if the ballot meets all requirements for tabulation. If the auditor receives additional ballots from a voter, as indicated by the fact that the voter's cast ballot has been accepted, the additional ballots shall not be counted and shall be forwarded to the county canvassing board for informational purposes only.
(4) When a voter's ballot has been accepted, additional ballots are considered invalid and shall not be rejected by the county canvassing board.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 19-12-115, § 434-250-080, filed 6/5/19, effective 7/6/19; WSR 18-10-003, § 434-250-080, filed 4/19/18, effective 5/20/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-080, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-080, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]


PDF434-250-095

Direct recording electronic voting devices.

(1) Before a direct recording electronic voting device may be used by a voter, an election officer must verify:
(a) The paper printer or paper canister is secured so that the paper record may not be removed from the device by anyone other than an election officer;
(b) Only a blank portion of the paper record is visible to the voter as he or she approaches the device; and
(c) The paper printer or paper canister is sealed with a numbered seal to ensure the paper tape cannot be removed by the voter.
(2) Before a direct recording electronic voting device may be used by a voter, an election officer must confirm that a ballot has not been accepted for that voter. Confirmation that a ballot has not already been accepted may be achieved by accessing the voter registration system by electronic, telephonic, or other means. If the county auditor is unable to confirm whether a ballot has been accepted for that voter, the voter may not vote on a direct recording electronic voting device. The voter may vote a paper provisional ballot. If a voted paper ballot is subsequently received after a ballot is cast on the direct recording electronic voting device, the paper ballot must not be counted.
(3)(a) If a ballot on a direct recording electronic device has not been cast but has been printed by the voter, the election officer may cast the ballot.
(b) If a ballot on a direct recording electronic device has not been printed nor cast by the voter, the election officer must cancel the ballot and make a corresponding notation in the accountability form.
(4) If any seal or lock on a direct recording electronic device, including seals for the paper printer or paper canister, has been broken or tampered with, the direct recording electronic device and paper printer must be removed from service for the remainder of the election. A written report regarding the circumstances of the removal from service must be sent to the county canvassing board.
(5) If the paper printer for a direct recording electronic device malfunctions or runs out of paper, the following must occur:
(a) If the election officer has confirmed that no ballots have been cast after the printer ran out of paper or malfunctioned, he or she must remove the direct recording electronic device and paper printer from service, and document the problem. The direct recording electronic device and paper printer may be returned to service only if the problem has been corrected.
(b) If the election officer is unable to confirm that no ballots were cast after the printer ran out of paper or malfunctioned, or if the problem cannot be corrected, the direct recording electronic device and paper printer must be removed from service for the remainder of the election. The auditor must present a written report regarding the circumstances of the removal from service to the county canvassing board.
(6) If an electronic ballot has been cast without a readable corresponding paper record, the county auditor may print the ballot image stored on the device for use as a paper record for that device, in the case of an audit or manual recount. This may require printing all ballot images from that machine.
(7) A provisional ballot may only be voted on a direct recording electronic voting device if the voting system has been certified by the secretary of state for provisional voting and the county auditor has submitted approved procedures to the secretary of state.
(8)(a) If a direct recording electronic voting device must be transferred from a voting center that is not in the same location as the counting center, the paper records must be either:
(i) Placed in transfer containers; or
(ii) Transferred in the paper printer or paper canister if the paper printer or paper canister is sealed so the paper record cannot be removed without breaking the seal.
(b) Paper records must be accompanied by a transmittal sheet which must include at a minimum:
(i) The voting center where the direct recording electronic device was utilized;
(ii) The seal number from the paper printer; and
(iii) The serial number or other identifier of the direct recording electronic device if distinctly unique from the seal number on the paper record printer or paper canister.
(c) If paper records are placed in a transfer container, the election officer must sign the transmittal sheet and place it in the transfer container. The number of paper record tapes included in the container must be recorded on the transmittal sheet. A unique prenumbered seal must be applied to the container.
(d) The data pack or cartridge of the direct recording device must be transported to the counting center in a sealed container.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 19-12-115, § 434-250-095, filed 6/5/19, effective 7/6/19; WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-095, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-095, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.530. WSR 06-02-028, § 434-250-095, filed 12/28/05, effective 1/28/06.]


PDF434-250-100

Ballot deposit sites.

If a location only receives ballots and does not issue ballots, it is considered a ballot deposit site. Ballot deposit sites may be staffed or unstaffed.
(1) A staffed ballot deposit site must be staffed by at least two people. Deposit site staff may be employees of the county auditor's office or persons appointed by the auditor. Deposit site persons, appointed by the county auditor, shall be representatives of different major political parties whenever possible. Deposit site staff or appointees shall subscribe to an oath regarding the discharge of their duties. Staffed deposit sites open on election day must be open until 8:00 p.m. Staffed deposit sites may be open according to dates and times established by the county auditor. Staffed deposit sites must have a ballot box secured in the manner described in WAC 434-261-045.
(2) Unstaffed ballot deposit sites consist of secured ballot boxes that allow return envelopes, once deposited, to only be removed by authorized staff or appointees. Ballot boxes located outdoors must be constructed of durable material able to withstand inclement weather, and be sufficiently secured to the ground or another structure to prevent their removal. Unstaffed ballot deposit sites must accept ballots beginning eighteen days prior to election day until 8:00 p.m. on election day. The county auditor must empty each ballot box with sufficient frequency to prevent damage and unauthorized access to the ballots.
(3) Unstaffed ballot boxes must be locked and sealed in the manner described in WAC 434-261-045. At exactly 8:00 p.m. on election day, all unstaffed ballot boxes must be emptied or secured to prevent the deposit of additional ballots. The box must be closed and secured by one or two people. One person may secure an unstaffed ballot box only if:
(a) The person does not have access to the deposited ballots; and
(b) Before sealing the deposit slot, the person records the seal number on a log and places the log inside the ballot box. The slot is then closed and secured with the numbered seal; and
(c) A team of two removes the ballots from the box and verifies the seal and log.
The county auditor shall remove the deposited ballots and transport them to the counting center by either:
(i) Two employees of or two persons appointed by the county auditor; or
(ii) Secured transport carrier containing ballots removed and sealed by two employees of or two persons appointed by the county auditor. Sealed transport carriers may be delivered to the counting center by one person. Ballots shall be secured in this manner when transported by vehicle.
(4) Any voter who is in line at 8:00 p.m. at a ballot deposit site must be allowed to deposit his or her ballot.
(5) If county auditor staff are present at a ballot deposit site, the county auditor must accept late ballots and refer them to the canvassing board. When a ballot deposit site is secured by one person, a second deposit receptacle, sealed and logged in the county auditor's office, must be provided to serve as a receptacle for late ballots.
(6) Within twenty-five feet of a ballot deposit site that is not located within a voting center, no person may electioneer, circulate campaign material, solicit petition signatures, or interfere with or impede the voting process. Whenever it is necessary to maintain order around a ballot deposit site, the county auditor may contact a law enforcement agency for assistance.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 17-12-090, § 434-250-100, filed 6/6/17, effective 7/7/17; WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-100, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14; WSR 12-14-074, § 434-250-100, filed 7/2/12, effective 8/2/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-100, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041. WSR 10-14-091, § 434-250-100, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-250-100, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10; WSR 08-05-120, § 434-250-100, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08; WSR 07-20-074, § 434-250-100, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; WSR 06-23-094, § 434-250-100, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06; WSR 06-14-047, § 434-250-100, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.530. WSR 06-02-028, § 434-250-100, filed 12/28/05, effective 1/28/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-100, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]


PDF434-250-105

Voting centers.

(1) If a location offers replacement ballots, reissued ballots, provisional ballots, or voting on a direct recording electronic device, it is considered a voting center.
(2) At least one voting center must be open during business hours during the voting period, which begins eighteen days before, and ends at 8:00 p.m. on the day of the special, primary, or general election. Additional voting centers, and additional locations that are not voting centers, established by the county auditor to provide other services are not required to be open for the full eighteen-day voting period. In addition to the requirements of RCW 29A.40.160, each voting center must:
(a) Be an accessible location. "Accessible" means the combination of factors which create an environment free of barriers to the mobility or functioning of voters. The environment consists of the routes of travel to and through the buildings or facilities used for voting. The Americans with Disabilities Act Checklist for Polling Places shall be used when determining the accessibility of a voting center. A voting center is fully accessible if all responses in each category are "Yes";
(b) Be located in a public building or building that is leased by a public entity including, but not limited to, libraries;
(c) Be marked with signage outside the building indicating the location as a place for voting;
(d) Issue ballots that include a declaration in the ballot materials;
(e) Offer disability access voting in a location or manner that provides for voter privacy. For each voting center, the county auditor must have a contingency plan to accommodate accessible voting in the event that an accessible voting unit malfunctions or must be removed from service;
(f) Offer provisional ballots, which may be sample ballots that meet provisional ballot requirements;
(g) Have electronic or telephonic access to the voter registration system, consistent with WAC 434-250-095, if the voting center offers voting on a direct recording electronic voting device. The county auditor shall require the voter to print and sign the ballot declaration provided in WAC 434-230-015. Ballot declaration signatures may not be maintained in the order in which they were signed. Before the voter may vote on a direct recording electronic voting device, the county auditor must either:
(i) Verify the signature on the ballot declaration against the signature in the voter registration record; or
(ii) Require the voter to provide photo identification, consistent with RCW 29A.40.160.
(h) Provide voters' pamphlets;
(i) Provide sample ballots if a full sample ballot is not published in the local voters' pamphlet;
(j) Provide voter registration services pursuant to RCW 29A.08.140. If the voter registration system is unable to process applications, the county auditor shall offer conditional registration and balloting services;
(k) Display a HAVA voter information poster, containing an example of an actual ballot or a sample ballot in substantially the same format as an actual ballot;
(l) Display the date of that election;
(m) During a primary that includes a partisan office, and a general election that includes a partisan office, display the appropriate party preference notice provided in WAC 434-230-015. The party preference notices may also be posted on-screen in direct recording electronic voting devices;
(n) Provide instructions on how to properly mark the ballot; and
(o) Provide election materials in alternative languages if required by the Voting Rights Act.
(3) Where it appears that a particular voter is having difficulty casting their vote, and as a result, is impeding other voters from voting, the staff may provide assistance to that voter in the same manner as provided by law for those voters who request assistance. Where it appears that a voter is impeding other voters from voting to simply cause delay, the staff shall ask the voter to expedite the voting process. In the event the voter refuses to cooperate, the staff shall, whenever practical, contact the county auditor, who may request assistance from the appropriate law enforcement agencies if he or she deems such action necessary.
(4) At exactly 8:00 p.m. on election day, all ballot boxes must be emptied or secured to prevent the deposit of additional ballots; however, any voter who is in a voting center or in line at a voting center at 8:00 p.m. must be allowed to vote and deposit their ballot. Voted ballots, including provisional, mail-in, and direct recording electronic and paper records, must be placed into secured transport carriers for return to the county auditor's office or another designated location.
(5) The requirements for staffed ballot deposit sites per WAC 434-250-100 apply to voting centers.
(6) The county auditor may establish which services will be provided at additional locations, which days and hours the additional locations will be open, and shall publish the information for voters.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 21-21-001, § 434-250-105, filed 10/6/21, effective 11/6/21; WSR 19-12-115, § 434-250-105, filed 6/5/19, effective 7/6/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611 and 29A.04.620. WSR 16-13-063, § 434-250-105, filed 6/13/16, effective 7/14/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-105, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14; WSR 12-14-074, § 434-250-105, filed 7/2/12, effective 8/2/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-105, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12.]


PDF434-250-110

Processing ballots.

(1) Ballot processing definitions:
(a) "Initial processing" means all steps taken to prepare ballots for tabulation.
(b) "Final processing" means the reading of ballots by an optical scan voting system for the purpose of producing returns of votes cast, but does not include tabulation.
(c) "Tabulation" means the production of returns of votes cast for candidates or ballot measures in a form that can be read by a person, whether as precinct totals, partial cumulative totals, or final cumulative totals.
(d) "Conditional" means a ballot issued when the voter registration system is unable to process an application submitted in person. The voter is conditionally registered and the voter's current ballot shall be accepted only after the application has been processed.
(2) Prior to initial processing of ballots, the county auditor shall notify the county chair of each major political party of the time and date on which processing shall begin, and shall request that each major political party appoint official observers to observe the processing and tabulation of ballots. If any major political party has appointed observers, such observers may be present for initial processing, final processing, or tabulation, if they so choose, but failure to appoint or attend shall not preclude the processing or tabulation of ballots.
(3) Initial processing includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Identification and receipt of current and suspended ballots:
(i) Current ballots are received and prepared for signature verification;
(ii) Suspended ballots are received and held until the seventh day following election day to allow time for a voter's current ballot to be received.
(b) Sorting of suspended ballots due to voter registration transfers:
(i) In-county suspended ballots are secured and held;
(ii) Out-of-county suspended ballots are sent with expedited shipping to the voter's new county in Washington. The suspended ballot must be sent to the new county as soon as possible, but not more than two business days after receipt. Suspended ballots received between seven days after election day and prior to certification shall be mailed to the voter's new county within one day of receipt. Following certification, suspended ballots are mailed to the voter's new county for retention.
(c) Processing of current and suspended ballots:
(i) If the voter's current ballot is received and accepted for tabulation prior to the seventh day after election day, the suspended ballot becomes invalid;
(ii) If the voter's current ballot is not received prior to the seventh day after election day, duplicate the suspended ballot onto the precinct ballot that matches the voter's current registration record.
(d) Verification of the signature and postmark on the ballot declaration by the county of current registration;
(e) Removal of the security envelope or sleeve from the return envelope;
(f) Removal of the ballot from the security envelope;
(g) Manual inspection for damage, write-in votes, and incorrect or incomplete marks;
(h) Duplication of ballots;
(i) Digital scanning and resolution of ballots by batch where tabulation does not take place; and
(j) Other preparation of ballots for final processing.
(4) Initial processing of voted ballots may begin as soon as voted ballots are received. Initial processing includes digital scanning and resolution of ballots where tabulation does not take place. All ballots must be kept in secure storage until final processing. Secure storage must employ the use of numbered seals and logs, or other security measures which will detect any inappropriate or unauthorized access to the secured ballot materials when they are not being prepared or processed by authorized personnel. The county auditor must ensure that all security envelopes and return envelopes are empty, either by a visual inspection of the punched hole to confirm that no ballots or other materials are still in the envelopes, or by storing the envelopes with a tie, string, or other object through the holes.
(5) Final processing of voted ballots, which may include scanning ballots on an optical scan voting system, may begin after 7:00 a.m. on the day of the election. Final processing may begin after 7:00 a.m. the day before the election if the county auditor follows a security plan that has been submitted by the county auditor and approved by the secretary of state to prevent tabulation until after 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election.
(6) Tabulation may begin after 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election.
(7) In counties tabulating ballots on an optical scan vote tallying system, the vote tallying system must reject all overvotes and blank ballots.
(a) All rejected ballots shall be outstacked for additional manual inspection.
(b) The outstacked ballots shall be inspected in a manner similar to the original inspection with special attention given to stray marks, erasures, and other conditions that may have caused the vote-tallying device to misread and reject the ballot.
(c) If inspection reveals that a ballot must be duplicated in order to be read correctly by the vote tallying system, the ballot must be duplicated.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 19-12-115, § 434-250-110, filed 6/5/19, effective 7/6/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.24.091, 29A.24.311, 29A.60.021, 29A.60.185, 29A.60.170, 29A.60.110, and 29A.60.235. WSR 19-01-102, § 434-250-110, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/18/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 18-10-003, § 434-250-110, filed 4/19/18, effective 5/20/18; WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-110, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14; WSR 12-14-074, § 434-250-110, filed 7/2/12, effective 8/2/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-110, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 08-15-052, § 434-250-110, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-110, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]


PDF434-250-120

Verification of the signature and return date.

(1) A ballot shall be counted if:
(a) The voter has not already cast a ballot that has been accepted in the election;
(b) The voter signed the ballot declaration with a valid signature, as determined by WAC 434-261-051 through 434-261-053, or the voter has provided identification at a voting center; and
(c) The envelope is returned in one of the following methods:
(i) The envelope is postmarked not later than the day of the election and received not later than close of business the day before certification of the election. A postmark is any official mark, imprint, or application that verifies when a ballot entered the U.S. postal system. The mailing date of a ballot sent through a commercial mailing service, such as FedEx or UPS, may be considered a postmark. The postmark on the envelope is the official date of mailing. If there are multiple postmarks, the earliest postmark is the date of mailing. A hand cancellation by an agent of the U.S. Postal Service is a postmark.
If the postmark is illegible or missing, the date of the voter's signature is the date of mailing as per RCW 29A.40.110. If the postmark is illegible or missing and the voter did not include a date with their signature, county auditors may use available U.S. Postal Service tools to verify the date of mailing;
(ii) The ballot is deposited in a ballot drop box no later than 8:00 p.m. on election day; or
(iii) For service and overseas voters, the ballot is received by fax or email no later than 8:00 p.m. on election day. Only service and overseas voters can submit ballots by fax or email.
(2) Postage that includes a date, such as meter postage or a dated stamp, does not qualify as a postmark. If an envelope lacks a postmark or if the postmark is unreadable, the date to which the voter has attested on the ballot declaration determines the validity of the ballot, per RCW 29A.40.110. If a ballot is from a service or overseas voter, the date to which the voter has attested on the ballot declaration determines the validity of the ballot, per RCW 29A.40.100.
(3) Consistent with WAC 434-250-080, the voter's current ballot and signed declaration shall be accepted for initial processing; ballots previously or subsequently received for the same voter are not counted nor rejected by the county canvassing board. Such ballots are invalid and categorized as informational only.
(a) If the first ballot received is identical to the voter's current ballot because the voter submitted a replacement ballot, the replacement ballot shall be referred to signature verification for initial processing.
(b) If the first ballot received is suspended because of a voter registration update, the suspended ballot shall be held by the county of current registration. The county of registration may choose to manually check the suspended ballot for signature issues and send a signature update form, while allowing time for the current ballot to be received and accepted.
(4) A ballot may not be rejected merely because the ballot envelope is not dated, unless the date is necessary to validate the timeliness of the ballot. The signature on a ballot declaration may not be rejected merely because the name in the signature is a variation of the name on the voter registration record.
(5) Only service and overseas voters are eligible to return a ballot by fax or email. For ballots returned by fax or email from service or overseas voters, the county auditor must apply procedures to protect the secrecy of the ballot.
(a) If returned by email, the county auditor must print the email and attachments; the printed email and signed declaration page must be processed and retained like other ballot declarations, and the printed ballot must be processed and retained like other ballots. The electronic versions of the email, ballot declaration, and ballot are exempt from public disclosure in order to maintain secrecy of the ballot. Voted service and overseas ballots returned by email may be returned with multiple attachments or in multiple emails.
(b) Service and overseas ballots returned by fax or email with a missing or mismatched signature are processed as established in RCW 29A.60.165 and WAC 434-261-050.
(6) For faxed or emailed ballots received from voters who are not service or overseas voters the county auditor must:
(a) Contact the voter immediately if a faxed or emailed ballot is received to notify the voter that they must return their ballot by mail or ballot drop box.
(b) Count only the ballot received by mail or ballot drop box if the voter returns both a faxed or emailed ballot and a ballot by mail or ballot drop box.
(c) Send the faxed or emailed ballot to the canvassing board for rejection if the voter did not return a ballot by mail or ballot drop box.
(7) The signature verification process shall be open to the public, subject to reasonable procedures adopted and promulgated by the canvassing board to ensure that order is maintained and to safeguard the integrity of the process.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 24-07-018, § 434-250-120, filed 3/8/24, effective 5/4/24; WSR 20-14-035, § 434-250-120, filed 6/24/20, effective 7/25/20; WSR 19-12-115, § 434-250-120, filed 6/5/19, effective 7/6/19; WSR 19-05-041, § 434-250-120, filed 2/14/19, effective 3/17/19; WSR 18-10-003, § 434-250-120, filed 4/19/18, effective 5/20/18; WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-120, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14; WSR 12-14-074, § 434-250-120, filed 7/2/12, effective 8/2/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-120, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041. WSR 10-14-091, § 434-250-120, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.530. WSR 06-02-028, § 434-250-120, filed 12/28/05, effective 1/28/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-120, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]


PDF434-250-130

Maintenance of an audit trail.

Each county auditor shall maintain an audit trail with respect to the processing of ballots, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) A record of the date the ballot was mailed or issued, and the date the ballot was received;
(2) The number of ballots issued and returned by precinct;
(3) A record of the disposition of each request for a ballot that was not honored;
(4) A record of the disposition of each returned ballot that was not counted;
(5) A record of the time and place each time the county canvassing board met; and
(6) Documentation of the security procedures undertaken to protect the integrity of all ballots after receipt, including the seal numbers used to secure the ballots during all facets of the process.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 17-12-090, § 434-250-130, filed 6/6/17, effective 7/7/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-130, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 07-12-032, § 434-250-130, filed 5/30/07, effective 6/30/07; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-130, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]


PDF434-250-140

Ballot process to be expedited.

All election officials charged with any duties or responsibilities with respect to ballots shall ensure that those duties are performed in an expeditious manner, in order to maximize the opportunity for voters to receive, vote, and return the ballots in time to be counted.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-140, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-140, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]


PDF434-250-200

Return postage.

The United States Postal Service Domestic Mail Manual requires each county auditor to include on the ballot, ballot instructions, mailing instructions, or return envelope the specific amount of first-class postage necessary to return the ballot by mail. This is not required:
(1) For ballots issued to service and overseas voters;
(2) For ballots returned using the business reply mail service;
(3) For ballots returned with postage prepaid by stamps, meter, or permit reply mail; or
(4) If the county auditor has an account with the post office guaranteeing payment of return postage due.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611 and 29A.04.620. WSR 16-13-063, § 434-250-200, filed 6/13/16, effective 7/14/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-200, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14.]


PDF434-250-320

Locations to deposit ballots.

A county auditor must provide at least two locations to deposit ballots beginning eighteen days prior to election day and ending at 8:00 p.m. on election day. These locations may be either a ballot deposit site, as defined in WAC 434-250-100, or a voting center, as defined in WAC 434-250-105. At least one location may be at the county auditor's office. All other deposit sites must be at geographical locations that are different from the county auditor's office.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-320, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-320, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 07-20-074, § 434-250-320, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; WSR 06-14-047, § 434-250-320, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-320, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]


PDF434-250-350

Student engagement hubs.

Pursuant to RCW 29A.40.180, the county auditor and any educational institution within the county that are statutorily required to host a hub must enter a contract to operate a student engagement hub.
(1) For all institutions operating student engagement hubs, the contract must include:
(a) A method for voters to download and print the voter's ballot for the exact precinct and precinct split from the voter's county of registration from an online portal;
(b) Provisions for protecting the privacy and secrecy of any voted ballot;
(c) Provision of instruction for voters on how to return a ballot;
(d) Provision of services to those in line at 8:00 p.m. on election day to obtain a ballot, vote, and deposit their voted ballot;
(e) Provision of a secured ballot drop box at the hub, following current ballot drop box procedures for emptying the contents and closing the box at the conclusion of hub operations;
(f) Ensuring that when a voter is in line at the hub at 8:00 p.m. or earlier on election day, their ballot may be deposited in the drop box after 8:00 p.m., but no other voters can use the drop box after 8:00 p.m.
(g) Ensuring operation of the hub in a nonpartisan manner while allowing no campaign materials or campaigning within a minimum of at least 25 feet of the entrances and exits of the hub facility, or within the hub;
(h) Provision of accessible facilities compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(2) For institutions operating student engagement hubs that are statutorily required to include voter registration services, the contract must also include:
(a) An agreed upon method of voter registration services for all eligible citizens at the hub;
(b) Setting the hours of operation as the county auditor's normal working hours and, on Election Day, starting at normal business opening and extended until 8:00 p.m.;
(c) An agreement detailing the days that the hub will be in operation up to the statutory maximum of eight days prior to the election;
(d) Provision to the hub of at least the following services by agreement between the county auditor and the university or college:
(i) Staffing;
(ii) Availability of provisional ballots;
(iii) Provision of notice of the availability of services;
(iv) Provision of appropriate voter information including voter pamphlets; and
(v) Provision of services to those in line at 8:00 p.m. on election day to register to vote, obtain a ballot, vote, and deposit their voted ballot.
(3) The prohibitions listed in chapter 29A.84 RCW for voting centers and ballot drop boxes also apply to student engagement hubs.
(4) Hub staff may provide postage stamps for voters that choose to mail their ballot.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 23-15-018, § 434-250-350, filed 7/7/23, effective 8/7/23; WSR 20-19-045, § 434-250-350, filed 9/10/20, effective 10/11/20.]


PDF434-250-370

Hub reimbursement program.

(1) Each year that funding has been made available by the legislature for support of student engagement hubs, a county that is required to operate a student engagement hub under RCW 29A.40.180, may request reimbursement from the secretary of state. Reimbursement under this section is limited to the operation of a student engagement hub during any portion of the in-person voter registration period associated with each general election.
(2) Reimbursement may be requested as either:
(a) Direct costs identified in the election cost reimbursement submitted pursuant to chapter 29A.04 RCW and compliant with the BARS Manual requirements related to cost reimbursement; or
(b) A reimbursement request separate from the election cost reimbursement request. This must be accompanied by supporting documentation, which may include invoices, written narratives, cost allocation, or other information, for each billed cost, a description of hub operations, dates and hours of operation, and a copy of the hub agreement.
(3) Prior to each general election, the secretary of state may identify a portion of the funding made available by the legislature to support student engagement hubs for statewide communication, outreach, or system upgrades related to student engagement hubs.
(4) All funding remaining after statewide communication, outreach, or system upgrades, must be used for reimbursement of operation costs as requested by counties operating student engagement hubs.
(5) In the event that available funding is less than the total of all reimbursements requested, available funding must be distributed using a proportional allocation method.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 21-21-001, § 434-250-370, filed 10/6/21, effective 11/6/21.]


PDF434-250-380

Disclosure of voter signatures.

(1) In-person inspection of unredacted ballot return envelopes, ballot declarations, and signature correction forms is authorized, so long as photocopying, photographs, and other types of image reproduction of voter signatures, phone numbers, and email addresses are prohibited.
(2) Upon receiving a public records request for ballot return envelopes, ballot declarations, or signature correction forms, an agency should offer the requestor the option of receiving redacted copies or inspecting unredacted versions in-person.
(3) For purposes of this regulation, "signature correction form" means any form submitted by a voter for the purpose of curing a missing or mismatched signature on a ballot declaration or otherwise updating the voter signature.
(4) For purposes of this section, "voter signature" means any original handwritten signature or image of the voter's signature.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 22-13-095, § 434-250-380, filed 6/14/22, effective 7/15/22.]
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