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.]
