As used in these regulations:

(1) "Canvassing" is that process of examining in detail a ballot, groups of ballots, election subtotals, or grand totals, in order to determine the final official returns of a primary, special, or general election, and to safeguard the integrity of the election process.

(2) "County canvassing board" is that body charged by law with the duty of canvassing ballots, ruling on the validity of questioned or challenged ballots, verifying all unofficial returns as listed in the auditor's abstract of votes, and producing the official county canvass report; it shall be composed of the county auditor, prosecuting attorney, and chair of the board of the county legislative authority, or their designated representatives.

(1) A voter may not be credited for voting if the ballot was voted after election day, was received later than the day before certification of the election, or will otherwise not be counted.

(2) The crediting of voters in the county election management system must be completed prior to certification of the election.

(3) The reconciliation of voters credited with ballots counted shall be completed prior to certification of the election. The certification must include, but is not limited to, information indicating that the number of ballots counted equals the number of voters credited. If these numbers do not match, the county auditor must take steps to reconcile the numbers and any discrepancies. If the county auditor cannot reconcile the numbers, documentation of steps taken to reconcile and any other applicable information must be included with the official reconciliation.

(4) Changes to the list of registered voters, such as new registrations, transfers, or cancellations, may not be made following a general election until the crediting reconciliation is complete. Correction of errors is allowed.

(5) The county auditor shall make an electronic or paper copy of the list of registered voters immediately following this reconciliation. Following each general election, the county auditor shall use this data to produce the number of voters participating in the election for each taxing district in the county as required by WAC 434-262-017. Once the list is copied and the taxing district voter turnout report is complete, changes to the database may be made.

(6) Following certification of the election, each credited voter's history of voting must be updated in the statewide voter registration database.

The county auditor, prosecuting attorney, and chair of the county legislative authority, or designees as per chapter 29A.60 RCW, shall be responsible for the performance of all duties of the county canvassing board, as set forth in chapters 29A.40 and 29A.60 RCW, and the rules on canvassing adopted by the secretary of state. These duties shall be performed by the members of the board, or they may delegate in writing representatives to perform these duties. This written delegation of authority shall be filed with the county auditor prior to any person undertaking any action on behalf of the board. In no instance may the members of the county canvassing board delegate the responsibility of certifying the returns of any primary or election, of determining the validity of any challenged ballots, or of rejecting ballots. When considering the validity or rejection of ballots, the canvassing board may review the ballots individually, in batches, or as part of a report of ballots presented to the board. In the event the canvassing board concludes that criminal activity may have occurred, the county auditor must refer the ballot and any relevant material to the county sheriff or county prosecuting attorney.

If a member cannot attend a canvassing board meeting due to an emergency, as defined in the canvassing board's manual, a designee may be appointed according to RCW 29A.60.140 at any time, including the day of the meeting. If a designee cannot be appointed, the member may participate in the meeting remotely.

(1) When ballots are considered during the meeting, the remote member must have access to an online computer application which allows viewing of ballots. Images of ballots cannot be recorded, copied, scanned, emailed, or faxed to the member nor can the member record ballot images. The computer application is not required if ballots are not considered during the meeting.

(2) As per RCW 29A.60.200, all three county canvassing board members or designees must certify an election. If an election is certified during the meeting where a member or designee is attending remotely, a copy of the certification document must be sent electronically to the remote member. The certification document must be signed in the following manner:

(a) The members physically present at the meeting must sign the certification document.

(b) A copy of the certification documentation is sent electronically to the remote member.

(c) The remote member must print the signature page of the certification, sign the page, and return the signed page electronically to the canvassing board meeting location.

(d) The remote member's signed signature page is printed and attached to the certification document signed by the other members of the board, completing the certification document.

Following each general election, the county auditor must determine the number of voters participating in the general election for each taxing district in the county and provide this number to each district. Districts may use that number to determine the number of votes required for bond and levy passage in the next year.

The county auditor is not responsible for determining minimum turnout or yes votes required for ballot measures and shall not determine if ballot measures meet requirements for passage.

(1) Prior to the official canvass, the county auditor shall prepare a preliminary abstract of votes for certifying the election, listing the number of registered voters, votes cast, and individual declared write-in candidate tallies required by chapter 29A.60 RCW. The preliminary abstract of votes must list separately for each precinct:

(a) Number of registered voters;

(b) Number of ballots cast;

(c) Votes cast for and against each measure;

(d) Votes cast for each candidate;

(e) Total number of write-in votes in each race; and

(f) Total number of overvotes and undervotes in each race.

(2) Pursuant to RCW 29A.60.230, the county auditor may aggregate results or take other necessary steps to maintain the secrecy of ballots.

(3) The county auditor shall inspect the preliminary abstract of votes for errors or anomalies that may affect the results of the election. Correction of any errors or anomalies discovered must be made prior to the official canvass.

All activities of the canvassing board shall be open to the public, although the board may limit the number of persons observing any aspect of the process whenever, in the judgment of the board, it is necessary to do so to preserve order and to safeguard the integrity of the process. The canvassing board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, to ensure that the process is open to the public and that the procedures themselves are performed by the board free of any outside interference. The auditor shall publish notice of the meetings of the canvassing board.

The county canvassing board shall meet and canvass all ballots. Upon completion of this canvass ten days after a special election, fourteen days after a primary, and twenty-one days after a general election, the county auditor shall present the auditor's abstract of votes, which must include, at a minimum:

(1) The number of registered voters eligible to vote in the election, by precinct;

(2) The number of ballots cast in the election, by precinct;

(3) The votes cast for each race or issue, including write-ins, undervotes, and overvotes, by precinct;

(4) Cumulative vote totals including write-ins, undervotes, and overvotes; and

(5) An aggregate total of votes cast for each declared candidate qualifying for the general election or elected. Individual write-in vote tallies for candidates not meeting the minimum threshold according to chapter 29A.60 RCW shall not be included in the official abstract of votes and results displayed online.

Write-in votes for candidates whose names appear on the ballot for that office should be counted according to WAC 434-261-086.

(1) The disposition of provisional ballots is governed by WAC 434-262-032. The county canvassing board must reject any ballot cast by a voter who was not qualified to vote, or for other reasons required by law or administrative rule. A log must be kept of all voted ballots rejected, and must be included in the minutes of each county canvassing board meeting.

(2) Ballots or parts of ballots shall be rejected by the canvassing board in the following instances:

(a) Where a ballot or parts of a ballot are marked in such a way that it is not possible to determine the voter's intent consistent with WAC 434-261-086;

(b) Where the voter has voted for candidates or issues for whom the voter is not entitled to vote;

(c) Where the voter has overvoted;

(d) Where the ballot was created for a prior election;

(e) Where a ballot was submitted with a fraudulent signature; and

(f) Where the ballot declaration signature did not match the signature(s) in the voter registration record, or the signature was missing and the voter did not cure the signature by close of business the day before the election was certified.

(3) If a voter's ballot is rejected in two consecutive primaries, presidential primaries, special elections, or elections due to a mismatched signature, the auditor must contact the voter by:

(a) A notice sent by first class mail with a signature update form and request that the voter update the signature for their voter registration record. The form must include the voter declaration required by RCW 29A.08.230 (subject to the March 15, 2024, Consent Decree entered in Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans v. Hobbs, et al., W.D.WA. Case No. 3-23-CV-06014-TMC). The package must include a prepaid envelope in which to return a completed signature update form. The notice letter must:

(i) Be in substantially the same form as the sample notice letter created by the secretary of state; and

(ii) Be available in all languages required by the Department of Justice.

(b) Telephone, leaving a voicemail if the voter does not answer and voicemail is available (if the voter provided a phone number);

(c) Text message (if the voter has opted into text message notifications); and

(d) Email, enclosing a copy of the signature update form (if the voter has provided an email address).

Upon receipt of the provisional ballot, including provisional ballots from other counties or states, the county auditor must investigate the circumstances surrounding the provisional ballot prior to certification of the primary or election. A voted ballot received from an unregistered voter, other than a service, overseas, or conditionally registered voter, is considered a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot cannot be counted unless the voter's name, signature and the date of birth, if available, matches a voter registration record. Once the provisional ballot has been investigated, disposition of the ballot is as follows:

(1) If the voter was previously registered, their voter registration was later canceled, and the auditor determines that the cancellation was in error, the voter's registration must be immediately restored and the provisional ballot counted.

(2) If the voter was previously registered, their voter registration was later canceled, and the auditor determines that the cancellation was not in error, register the voter and count the ballot.

(3) If a registered voter has voted a ballot for a previous address, the auditor must ensure that only those votes for the positions and measures for which the voter was eligible to vote are counted.

(4) If the voter is registered in another county, the auditor shall immediately forward the ballot to the elections official for the jurisdiction in which the voter is registered. The provisional ballot must be forwarded within seven calendar days after a primary or special election and 14 calendar days after a general election, and as soon as possible if past that date.

(5) If the voter voted a regular ballot and a provisional ballot, the provisional ballot is not counted if the regular ballot has already been counted. The regular ballot is not counted if the provisional ballot has already been counted.

(6) If the voter voted a provisional ballot because the voter failed to produce identification at a voting center, the ballot is counted if the signature on the envelope matches the signature in the voter registration record, using the standards and processes set forth in WAC 434-261-051 through 434-261-053.

(7) If the voter voted a provisional ballot because the voter is provisionally registered and the voter's registration record is still flagged as requiring verification of identity, the provisional ballot is not counted.

(8) Provisional ballots voted for reasons not covered by this section or state statute must be determined by the county canvassing board.

If the ballot of a protected records voter must be presented to the county canvassing board, the canvassing board must review the ballot in private executive session or take other necessary steps to ensure the privacy of the protected records voter.

The county canvassing board shall examine the auditor's abstract of votes and shall verify that all of the precinct ballot totals have been included in the abstract, and that the subtotals and county-wide totals for registered voters and votes cast are an accurate reflection of the sum of those precinct ballot totals.

(1) If the county canvassing board, during the verification process, discovers that errors or discrepancies exist in the auditor's abstract of votes, the board shall investigate those errors or discrepancies. They shall be empowered to take whatever corrective steps a majority of the board deems necessary, including changing or modifying the auditor's abstract of votes if the error or discrepancy is discovered in that document. The canvassing board may proceed to verify votes cast on other measures or races if a majority of the board believes that the nature of the errors or discrepancies discovered warrant further action on their part.

(2) Changes in the results of an election following a recount are not considered errors or discrepancies.

If the canvassing board decides to take corrective action with respect to errors or discrepancies described in WAC 434-262-050, the canvassing board shall prepare a written narrative of the errors or discrepancies discovered, the cause of those errors, if known, and the corrective action taken. Each member of the canvassing board must sign the written narrative and must initial the auditor's abstract of votes if it is altered or modified by the canvassing board.

(1) Upon completion of the verification of the auditor's abstract of votes and the documentation of any corrective action taken, the county canvassing board shall sign a certification that:

(a) States that the abstract is a full, true, and correct representation of the votes cast for the issues and offices listed thereon;

(b) Provides the total number of registered voters and votes cast in the county;

(c) Contains the oath required by RCW 29A.60.200, signed by the county auditor and attested to by the chair or designee who administered the oath; and

(d) Shall have a space where the official seal of the county shall be attached.

(2) The official county canvass report shall include:

(a) The certification;

(b) The auditor's abstract of votes as described in WAC 434-262-030. This report may not be subsequently amended or altered, except in the event a recount conducted pursuant to chapter 29A.64 RCW, or upon order of the superior court. The vote totals therein shall constitute the official returns of that election; and

(c) If applicable, a written narrative of errors and discrepancies discovered and corrected.

(3) The certification shall be signed by all members of the county canvassing board or their designees.

(4) The official county canvass report for every primary and election must be submitted to the secretary of state on the day the election was certified.

(5) The county auditor must prepare a reconciliation report for every primary and election as required by RCW 29A.60.235 and state rule, and submit the complete report as directed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall review the reconciliation for each county and work with the county auditor to resolve discrepancies. If a discrepancy is resolved, the county auditor shall submit a correct reconciliation report to the secretary of state seven days following the certification of the election. The corrected report then becomes the official reconciliation report for that election. The county auditor shall post the corrected report on the county auditor website.

Immediately following the certification of the returns of any primary, special, or general election in which state measures, federal or state offices, or legislative or judicial offices whose jurisdiction encompasses more than one county appeared on the ballot, the county auditor must transmit a copy of the official county canvass report to the secretary of state by electronic means.

The secretary of state shall ensure that all material required to be submitted pursuant to state law and these regulations has been included in the copy of the county canvass report transmitted to his or her office. In the event the secretary of state determines that the report is incomplete, he or she shall notify the county auditor of that fact and shall request that the missing part be forwarded immediately. No county canvass report shall be considered complete for acceptance by the secretary of state until all of the material required by statute and regulation has been received by the secretary of state.

Upon receipt of a complete copy of the county canvass report from a county auditor, the secretary of state shall proceed to include the results from that abstract in the official canvass of the primary, special, or general election. This shall be accomplished by adding the certified returns from each county abstract of votes in order to determine the final results for those offices and issues he or she is required by law to certify. The secretary of state shall accept the official abstract of votes from each county as being full, true, and correct in all respects. The secretary of state may include in the official canvass, a narrative which details or describes any apparent discrepancies discovered during the canvassing procedure, and may notify the county or counties involved of such discrepancies.

In an audit, the county auditor must compare the paper records with the electronic results cast on the direct recording electronic devices.

(1) The audits required by RCW 29A.60.185 must use the same three races or issues, randomly selected by lot, for every direct recording electronic device subject to the audit and utilized in the election. If there are not three countywide races or issues on the ballot, the county must select the maximum number of contests available but no more than three contests from each of the devices randomly selected for the audit.

(2) Only races and issues with more than ten votes cast on all direct recording electronic devices in the county may be selected for the audit. If the county does not have such a contest, it must not conduct the audit of paper records required by RCW 29A.60.185.

(3) Counties that utilized more than one direct recording electronic device in the primary or election must randomly select the devices until the aggregate total of votes cast in each selected contest is greater than ten. The devices must also be aggregated until the number of devices selected meets the minimum required by RCW 29A.60.185.

(4) Written procedures to perform audits of direct recording electronic devices as outlined in RCW 29A.60.185 and to resolve discrepancies identified in the audit must be promulgated by the county auditor.

(a) The procedures must provide for a process of randomly selecting by lot the direct recording electronic devices that will be audited.

(b) The procedures for manually tabulating results must be conducted using a process that includes the following elements:

(i) A continuous paper record must be utilized; the paper record must not be cut into separate individual records;

(ii) If a paper record indicates a ballot has been canceled, that ballot must be exempt from the audit; and

(iii) If the paper records are incomplete, the ballot images stored on the direct recording electronic device must be printed and then compared to the electronic results recorded on the direct recording electronic device.

(5) If there is a discrepancy between the electronic results and the paper record results, the canvassing board must take necessary actions to investigate and resolve the discrepancy. The canvassing board must prepare a public report that outlines the discrepancy and how it was resolved. The results as determined by the canvassing board must replace the electronic results in the official certification.

(6) If there is a discrepancy that cannot be resolved:

(a) The secretary of state must be notified immediately; and

(b) The vendor must be notified and required to provide a satisfactory explanation for the discrepancy within thirty days.

(7) The aggregate total of paper records counted manually is subject to public disclosure.

Pursuant to RCW 29A.60.240, upon completion of the canvass of each county auditor's abstract of votes and no later than seventeen days following the primary, the secretary of state shall certify to the appropriate county auditors the returns for all state ballot measures, federal and statewide offices, and those legislative and judicial offices whose jurisdiction encompasses more than one county. In the event the secretary of state is unable to certify all or part of a primary election seventeen days following that primary because he or she has not received a copy of a county canvass report from one or more counties, or because there are discrepancies on a received report, he or she shall certify the state ballot measures and candidates for which completed abstracts have been received, and provide reasons which render him or her unable to certify the entire primary. The certification of the remainder of the primary shall take place when all outstanding county canvass reports have been received and filed.

Pursuant to RCW 29A.60.250, upon completion of the canvass of each county's abstract of votes and no later than thirty days following a general election, the secretary of state shall certify to the governor, president of the senate, and speaker of the house of representatives the returns for all state ballot measures, federal and statewide offices, and those legislative and judicial offices whose jurisdiction encompasses more than one county. In the event the secretary of state is unable to certify all or part of a general election thirty days following that election because he or she has not received a copy of a county canvass report from one or more counties, or because there are discrepancies on a received report, he or she shall certify the state ballot measures and candidates for which completed abstracts have been received. The secretary of state shall also set forth, by letter to the governor, president of the senate, and speaker of the house of representatives those reasons which render him or her unable to certify the entire election. The certification of the remainder of the election shall take place when all outstanding county canvass reports have been received.

Insofar as practicable, the procedures governing the certification of special primaries by the secretary of state shall be the same as those governing the certification of primaries, and the procedures governing the certification of special elections shall be the same as those governing general elections.

When a write-in candidate files a declaration in a multicounty jurisdiction, the filing officer shall notify the affected counties. The filing officer must combine the write-in totals from all affected counties to determine if the total write-in votes must be tallied for individual candidates as per chapter 29A.60 RCW. If votes must be tallied, the officer must immediately notify the affected counties.

With the exception of certificates of election issued in accordance with RCW 29A.52.360 and 29A.52.370, the filing officer must collect and combine the certified results from the county canvassing boards in order to issue a certificate of election for candidates in multicounty jurisdictions.

In a local ballot measure election for a multicounty jurisdiction, the county auditor from the county with the greatest number of registered voters in the jurisdiction must combine the final results for that ballot measure from all relevant counties.

(1) In all cases of write-in votes the canvassing board shall exercise all reasonable efforts to determine the voter's intent.

The board shall determine if votes with name and spelling variations are votes for a declared write-in candidate.

(2) If a declared write-in candidate qualifies as one of the top two candidates in the primary, the party preference stated on the write-in declaration of candidacy, if any, shall be printed on the general election ballot.

All records and materials are to be maintained for a period of sixty days after certification of each election. Where the election involves federal offices the records and material must be kept for twenty-two months from the date of the election.