WashingtonVoter challenges need strong proof before officials can hold hearings
Challengers must give firsthand evidence, and county officials must dismiss cases that lack probable cause before a hearing.
What it does
County officials hold a voter challenge hearing only when they cannot confirm eligibility and the evidence gives probable cause to question it. The challenger must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
County auditors cancel inactive registrations after confirming a voter's death, learning the voter registered in another state, or receiving the voter's signed request to cancel.
County auditors post each voter challenge online within 10 business days and alert people who signed up to receive ongoing notices.
Argument forVoters could be less likely to face a hearing or lose a ballot over a weak challenge because officials must find probable cause and challengers must meet a high proof standard.
Argument againstPeople named in voter challenges could have their names, addresses, or contact details exposed because auditors post full challenge filings online.
More detail
County officials may hold a challenge hearing only if they cannot confirm the voter's eligibility and the evidence gives probable cause to question it. Challenges may concern only the legal grounds listed in the law, such as a qualifying felony sentence, ineligibility declared by a court, an incorrect residence address, age, or citizenship. Only a same-county registered voter or the county prosecutor may challenge a voter, and the challenge must use a legal ground. The challenger must provide firsthand facts and supporting evidence, and sign a separate paper affidavit for each voter under penalty of perjury. At a hearing, the challenger must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the registration is improper. If officials independently confirm eligibility, they must dismiss the challenge without a hearing. Challenges are generally due no later than 45 days before an election. A challenge may be filed later if the voter registered or changed residence less than 60 days before the election; it is due no later than 10 days before the election or within 10 days after the voter is added to the database, whichever is later.
County auditors cancel inactive voter registrations when they confirm the voter's death, learn the voter registered in another state, or receive the voter's signed request to cancel. These cancellation rules apply to inactive registrations. An inactive voter is not subject to a registration challenge. For a death, the auditor must receive and confirm information under the law's death-record process. Before canceling a registration based on the voter's written notice, the auditor must verify that the signature matches the registration file. Before two federal general elections pass, an inactive voter returns to active status by reporting an address change, confirming continued residence, or voting or trying to vote.
County auditors publish the full contents of voter challenges on their websites and notify people who request ongoing alerts. The online posting covers any voter challenge filed under the chapter. Challenge information must remain in the auditor's records for the required retention period and may be disclosed upon request. Auditors may remove the online information 45 days after the challenge is completed or dismissed.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 25Chapter 212, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 25Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 12President signed.Major
- Mar 12Speaker signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 11Passed final passage; yeas, 58; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 2.Passed House
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#17). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11House concurred in Senate amendments.
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#30). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 3Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
- Mar 3Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 25Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 24Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 24Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 24SGTE - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 16Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 8:30 AM.
- Feb 12First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.Minor
- Feb 10Third reading, passed; yeas, 58; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#21). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 10Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 101st substitute bill substituted (SGOV 25).Major
- Jan 27Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Jan 12By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- 2025
- Mar 19Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Mar 9Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 18Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 14Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 14Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 14SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 14Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 9:00 AM.
- Feb 11Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 10First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting