WashingtonWashington directs voter database requests to the secretary of state
The law directs statewide voter database requests to the secretary of state and makes certain knowing misuse or disclosure of voter information a felony.
What it does
People seeking records or existing reports from the statewide voter registration database must request them from the secretary of state. County election offices must direct requesters there by the public records response deadline.
Election officials who knowingly use, share, or change database information outside their duties commit a class C felony. Knowingly disclosing certain identity numbers or full birthdates outside allowed channels is also a felony.
Argument forSending statewide database requests to the secretary of state could give requesters one office to contact for records and existing reports.
Argument againstHaving to send statewide database requests to one office could add a step for people who first contact their county election office.
More detail
County election offices must direct requests for statewide voter database records or existing reports to the secretary of state. This covers requests for records from, or existing reports generated by, Washington’s statewide voter registration database. County offices must direct requesters by the deadline set in state public records law.
Election officials who knowingly misuse voter database information, or knowingly disclose certain identifying details without authorization, commit a class C felony. The rules cover state and local election officers, and their designees, who can access a county or statewide voter registration database. Misuse must be inconsistent with the official’s duties. Driver’s license or state ID numbers, Social Security numbers, and full birthdates in voter registration records may be disclosed to election officials or to others when the secretary of state authorizes it. The law took effect on March 25, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Effective date 3/25/2026.Latest
- Mar 25Chapter 213, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 25Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 11President signed.Passed House
- Mar 9Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#22). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Senate concurred in House amendments.
- Feb 28Third reading, passed; yeas, 57; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 5.Minor
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#3). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 28Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 28Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
- Feb 25Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 23Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 20Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 20SGOV - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 20Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 18Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 9First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.Minor
- Feb 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#11). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Jan 28Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Jan 26Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Jan 23Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Jan 23SGTE - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Jan 23Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 20Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.Minor
- 2025
- Dec 16Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
Civil Rights & VotingGovernment & EthicsCriminal Justice