Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 7 D cosponsors

SB 5017 — Adopting national standards for uniformed and overseas civilian voting, including conforming amendments to existing statute.

Last action — Senate Rules "X" file.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced December 09, 2024. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 7 sponsors

    1 primary, 6 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (7 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

615 added · 599 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to SB 5017 include a new requirement for the Secretary of State to ensure that all processing of military and overseas voter materials complies with specific federal guidelines. Additionally, the bill now emphasizes the establishment of an electronic system that allows these voters to easily apply for registration materials and ballots. These changes are significant because they aim to streamline the voting process for military and overseas citizens, ensuring they can participate in elections more efficiently and securely.

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S-0669.1 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5017 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Nobles, Dhingra, Liias, Pedersen, Saldaña, Trudeau, and Wellman;
Z-0014.8 SENATE BILL 5017 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Nobles, Dhingra, Liias, Pedersen, Saldaña, Trudeau, and Wellman;
by request of Secretary of State and Uniform Law Commission) READ FIRST TIME 01/21/25.
by request of Secretary of State and Uniform Law Commission Prefiled 12/09/24.
Read first time 01/13/25.
Referred to Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
1 SSB 5017 NEW SECTION.
1 SB 5017 NEW SECTION.
2 SSB 5017 (b) A ballot specifically prepared or distributed for use by a covered voter in accordance with Washington voting law;
2 SB 5017 (b) A ballot specifically prepared or distributed for use by a covered voter in accordance with Washington voting law;
3 SSB 5017 (1) A general, special, presidential primary, or election for federal office;
3 SB 5017 (1) A general, special, presidential primary, or election for federal office;
The secretary of state may delegate the responsibility under this subsection for voter registration and ballot production and processing only to county auditor offices.
The secretary of state may delegate the responsibility under this subsection for voter registration and ballot production and processing only to county auditor offices in compliance with section 102(b)(1) of the uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act, 52 U.S.C.
Sec.
20302(b)(1).
The secretary of state shall ensure that a form for the execution of the declaration, including an indication of the date of execution of the p.
The secretary of state shall ensure that a form for the execution of the p.
4 SSB 5017 declaration, is a prominent part of all balloting materials for which the declaration is required.
4 SB 5017 declaration, including an indication of the date of execution of the declaration, is a prominent part of all balloting materials for which the declaration is required.
(2) A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot or Washington state ballot to apply to register to vote simultaneously with the submission of the federal write-in absentee ballot, if the declaration is received by 8:00 p.m.
(2) A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot to apply to register to vote simultaneously with the submission of the federal write-in absentee ballot, if the declaration is received by 8:00 p.m.
(1) To receive the benefits of this chapter, a covered voter must inform the appropriate election official that the voter is a covered voter.
(1) A covered voter who is registered to vote in this state may apply for a military-overseas ballot using either the regular Washington state voting system as defined in this title or the federal postcard application or the application's electronic equivalent.
Methods of informing the appropriate election official that a voter is a covered voter include, but are not limited to:
(2) A covered voter who is not registered to vote in Washington state may use a federal postcard application or the application's p.
5 SB 5017 electronic equivalent to apply simultaneously to register to vote under section 105 of this act and for a military-overseas ballot.
(3) The secretary of state shall ensure that the electronic transmission system described in section 104(3) of this act is capable of accepting the submission of both a federal postcard application and any other approved electronic military-overseas ballot application sent to the appropriate election official.
The voter may use the electronic transmission system or any other approved method to apply for a military-overseas ballot.
(4) A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot as an application for a UOCAVA ballot simultaneously with the submission of the federal write-in absentee ballot, if the declaration is received by the appropriate election official by one day prior to that election.
(5) To receive the benefits of this chapter, a covered voter must inform the appropriate election official that the voter is a covered voter.
Methods of informing the appropriate election official that a voter is a covered voter include:
(b) The use of an overseas mailing address on an approved voter registration application;
(b) The use of an overseas mailing address on an approved voter registration application or ballot application;
p.
and (c) The inclusion on an approved voter registration application or ballot application of other information sufficient to identify the voter as a covered voter.
5 SSB 5017 (c) The use of a check box or other indication on an approved voter registration application indicating that the voter is an overseas voter or uniformed-service voter;
(6) This chapter does not preclude a covered voter from voting under standard vote by mail law as defined in this title.
and (d) The inclusion on an approved voter registration application or communication with a county auditor of other information sufficient to identify the voter as a covered voter.
(2) This chapter does not preclude a covered voter from voting under standard vote by mail law as defined in this title.
The auditor shall send the mail ballot as soon as practicable after the application arrives.
The auditor shall send the mail ballot not later than two business days after the application arrives.
NEW SECTION.
p.
6 SB 5017 NEW SECTION.
(3) If a ballot application from a covered voter arrives after the jurisdiction begins transmitting ballots to voters, the auditor shall transmit a ballot as soon as practicable.
(3) If a ballot application from a covered voter arrives after the jurisdiction begins transmitting ballots to voters, the auditor shall transmit them to the voter not later than two business days after the application arrives.
p.
(4) Failure to mail ballots as prescribed in this section does not by itself provide a basis for an election contest or other legal challenge to the results of a primary, general election, or special election.
6 SSB 5017 (4) Failure to mail ballots as prescribed in this section does not by itself provide a basis for an election contest or other legal challenge to the results of a primary, general election, or special election.
(1) A valid UOCAVA ballot cast in accordance with section 110 of this act must be counted if it is delivered by the end of business on the day before the deadline for certification of the election under RCW 29A.60.190 to the county auditor.
(1) A valid UOCAVA ballot cast in accordance with section 110 of this act must be counted if it is delivered by the end of business on the day before p.
7 SB 5017 the deadline for certification of the election under RCW 29A.60.190 to the county auditor.
(1) The county auditor shall request an email address from each p.
(1) The county auditor shall request an email address from each covered voter who registers to vote.
7 SSB 5017 covered voter who registers to vote.
NEW SECTION.
p.
8 SB 5017 NEW SECTION.
(3)(a) The secretary of state must work to develop and test electronic methods of ballot return for UOCAVA voters that are secure against electronic monitoring and incursion or interference, provides the maximum level of voter secrecy and privacy available, and ensures that only a single vote is cast by any UOCAVA voter.
(3) The secretary of state may approve a portal for use by county election offices and UOCAVA voters in returning voted ballots, any approved portal must be renewed annually and may be removed as circumstances require.
(a) The secretary of state must work to develop and test electronic methods of ballot return for UOCAVA voters that are secure against electronic monitoring and incursion or interference, provides the maximum level of voter secrecy and privacy available, and ensures that only a single vote is cast by any UOCAVA voter.
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(d) Each county election office using an approved portal for the return of voted UOCAVA ballots must keep record of every attempt at p.
(d) Each county election office using an approved portal for the return of voted UOCAVA ballots must keep record of every attempt at ballot return, successful and unsuccessful, and prepare a report at the conclusion of each voting period listing the number of ballots returned using the portal and confirming that only UOCAVA voters used the portal.
8 SSB 5017 ballot return, successful and unsuccessful, and prepare a report at the conclusion of each voting period listing the number of ballots returned using the portal and confirming that only UOCAVA voters used the portal.
(f) No electronic ballot portal may be approved or deployed without express statutory authority.
The secretary of state shall provide an annual report on its progress developing the portal to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1st of each calendar year, with a final report due December 1, 2028.
Return envelopes for UOCAVA ballots must enable the ballot to be returned postage free if mailed through the United States postal service, United States armed forces postal service, or the postal service of a United States foreign embassy under 39 U.S.C.
Return envelopes for UOCAVA ballots must enable the ballot to be returned postage free if mailed through the p.
9 SB 5017 United States postal service, United States armed forces postal service, or the postal service of a United States foreign embassy under 39 U.S.C.
Pacific Time on the day of the primary or election.
Pacific Standard Time on the day of the primary or election.
(1) At least 90 days before a regularly scheduled election and as soon as practicable before a special election, the county auditor shall prepare a list of known candidates and issues referred to the ballot for that jurisdiction, p.
(1) At least 100 days before a regularly scheduled election and as soon as practicable before a special election, the county auditor shall prepare a list of known candidates and issues referred to the ballot for that jurisdiction, to be used in conjunction with a federal write-in absentee ballot.
9 SSB 5017 to be used in conjunction with a federal write-in absentee ballot.
NEW SECTION.
p.
10 SB 5017 NEW SECTION.
p.
NEW SECTION.
10 SSB 5017 NEW SECTION.
NEW SECTION.
p.
11 SB 5017 NEW SECTION.
"Special absentee ballot" means a ballot, which may be a write-in ballot, available 90 days prior to an election for voters unable to vote and return a regular ballot by normal delivery within the period provided for regular ballots.
"Special absentee ballot" means a write-in ballot available 100 days prior to an election for voters unable to vote and return a regular ballot by normal delivery within the period provided for regular ballots.
"UOCAVA ballot" means the ballot sent to an overseas or service voter in compliance with the federal uniformed and overseas citizens p.
"UOCAVA ballot" means the ballot sent to an overseas or service voter in compliance with the federal uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act and chapter 29A.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 122 of this act).
11 SSB 5017 absentee voting act and chapter 29A.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 122 of this act).
or (((3))) (c) While a student at any institution of learning((;
or p.
12 SB 5017 (((3))) (c) While a student at any institution of learning((;
1973 ff-6 while in active service, is a member of a reserve component of the armed forces, is a student or member of the faculty at a United States military academy, is a member of the merchant marine of the United States, or is a member of a religious group or welfare agency officially attached to and serving with the armed forces of the United States;
1973 ff-6 while in active service, is a member of a reserve component of the armed forces, is a student or member of the faculty at a United States military academy, is a member of the merchant marine of the United States, or is a member of a religious group or welfare agency officially attached to and serving with the armed forces of the United States ;
or p.
or (2) A uniformed-service voter as defined in section 102 of this act.
12 SSB 5017 (2) A uniformed-service voter as defined in section 102 of this act.
(1) If the driver's license number, state identification card number, or last four digits of the social security number provided by the applicant match the information maintained by the Washington department of licensing or the social security administration, and the applicant provided all information required by RCW 29A.08.010, the applicant must be registered to vote.
(1) If the driver's license number, state identification card number, or last four digits of the social security number provided by the applicant match the information maintained by the Washington department of licensing or the social security administration, and p.
13 SB 5017 the applicant provided all information required by RCW 29A.08.010, the applicant must be registered to vote.
p.
(e) A copy of a current government check;
13 SSB 5017 (e) A copy of a current government check;
((or)) (g) A government document, other than a voter registration card, that shows both the name and address of the voter;
or (g) A government document, other than a voter registration card, that shows both the name and address of the voter.
or (h) Proof of eligibility under the federal uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act.
(5) The requirements of this section do not apply to ((an overseas or service voter who registers to vote by signing the return envelope of an absentee ballot, or to)) a registered voter ((transferring his or her)) updating information on their voter registration record.
(5) The requirements of this section do not apply to an overseas or service voter who registers to vote by signing the return envelope p.
14 SB 5017 of an absentee ballot, or to a registered ((voter transferring his or her)) voter updating information on their voter registration record.
(b) A special absentee ballot may not be requested more than ((ninety)) 90 days before the applicable state primary or general election.
(b) A special absentee ballot may not be requested more than ((ninety)) 100 days before the applicable state primary or general election.
The special absentee ballot will list the offices and measures, if known, scheduled to appear on the state primary or p.
The special absentee ballot will list the offices and measures, if known, scheduled to appear on the state primary or general election ballot.
14 SSB 5017 general election ballot.
(2) ((Except where a recount or litigation is pending, the county auditor must mail ballots to each service and overseas voter at least thirty days before each special election, and at least forty-five days before each primary or general election, or any special election that involves federal office.
p.
15 SB 5017 (2) ((Except where a recount or litigation is pending, the county auditor must mail ballots to each service and overseas voter at least thirty days before each special election, and at least forty-five days before each primary or general election, or any special election that involves federal office.
(((4))) (3) Each county auditor shall certify to the office of the secretary of state the dates the ballots were mailed, or the p.
(((4))) (3) Each county auditor shall certify to the office of the secretary of state the dates the ballots were mailed, or the reason and date the ballots will be mailed if the ballots were not mailed timely.
15 SSB 5017 reason and date the ballots will be mailed if the ballots were not mailed timely.
it is illegal to cast a ballot or sign a ballot declaration on behalf of another voter;
it is p.
16 SB 5017 illegal to cast a ballot or sign a ballot declaration on behalf of another voter;
the day of the election or p.
the day of the election or primary, or mail the ballot to the county auditor with a postmark no later than the day of the election or primary.
16 SSB 5017 primary, or mail the ballot to the county auditor with a postmark no later than the day of the election or primary.
Ballots may be taken from the inner envelopes and all the normal procedural steps may be performed to prepare these ballots for tabulation.
Ballots may be taken from the inner envelopes and p.
17 SB 5017 all the normal procedural steps may be performed to prepare these ballots for tabulation.
p.
(5) Personnel shall verify that the voter's signature on the ballot declaration is the same as the signature of that voter in the registration files of the county.
17 SSB 5017 (5) Personnel shall verify that the voter's signature on the ballot declaration is the same as the signature of that voter in the registration files of the county.
(1) The opening and subsequent processing of return envelopes for any primary or election may begin upon receipt.
p.
18 SB 5017 (1) The opening and subsequent processing of return envelopes for any primary or election may begin upon receipt.
on the day of the primary or p.
on the day of the primary or election, or must be postmarked no later than the day of the primary or election.
18 SSB 5017 election, or must be postmarked no later than the day of the primary or election.
on the day of the primary or election, and the county auditor must use established procedures to maintain the secrecy of the ballot.)) NEW SECTION.
on p.
19 SB 5017 the day of the primary or election, and the county auditor must use established procedures to maintain the secrecy of the ballot.)) NEW SECTION.
19 SSB 5017
20 SB 5017
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Action History

  1. Senate Rules "X" file.

  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  3. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  4. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  5. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  6. Minority; do not pass.

  7. SGOV - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

  8. Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.

  9. Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 8:15 AM.

  10. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.

  11. Third reading, passed; yeas, 39; nays, 10; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  12. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  13. 1st substitute bill substituted (SGTE 25).

  14. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  15. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  16. Minority; without recommendation.

  17. SGTE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  18. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.

  19. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM.

  20. First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.

  21. Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 144 not signed on · 10 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (6)

Not signed on (144)

144 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 144 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#13)

Passed 39 Yea · 10 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 30000
Republican 91000
Total 391000
% of votes cast 80%20%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Nay
Jim McCune Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Goehner Republican Nay
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Leonard Christian Republican Yea
Mark Schoesler Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Nikki Torres Republican Yea
Paul Harris Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Nay
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Nay
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

elections
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5017?
SB 5017 is sponsored by Lisa Wellman (Democrat), Yasmin Trudeau (Democrat), Rebecca Saldaña (Democrat), Jamie Pedersen (Democrat), Marko Liias (Democrat), Manka Dhingra (Democrat), and T'wina Nobles (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5017?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced December 09, 2024. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 5017?
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