SB 5902 — Concerning effective voter notifications and forms.

Bill Text

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Compared against the Revised Code of Washington as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 3 section(s) of the Revised Code of Washington: RCW 29A.08.140; RCW 29A.08.359; RCW 29A.08.030.

• RCW 29A.08.140

  by → (2)(a) In order t h nc ddress for voting in any primary, special ele o l ction, a person who is already registered t o ng may update his or her registration by: (i) Submitting an r in registration application or making notificatio i pe method that is received by election officials gh ys before the day of the primary, special elect , le n; or (ii) Appearing i e co y auditor's office, the division of election f at ocation from the county auditor's office, a n o r location designated by the county auditor, :0 .m. on the day of the primary, special elec i onducting an election, or general election to b n th primary, special election if the county is condu n , eneral election. (b) A registered r u te his or her residential address by this deadl or to his or her previous registration address. (3) To register o p a ss in person at a county auditor's office, a n o r location designated by the county auditor, p pp in person at a county auditor's office, a n o r location designated by the county auditor at t f ity is open and complete the voter registrati a or form approved by the secretary of state, o

  amended

• RCW 29A.08.359

  or updates any element of an existing voter registration update the voter's record and, if the information updates the voter's name, residence address, or mailing address, record the appropriate precinct identification, taxing district identification, and date of registration on the voter's record in the state voter registration list and five business days of the original application, or, if the information is received after the deadline to register to vote or update a voter registration under RCW 29A.08.140 (1)(a) or (2)(a)(i), within five business days after the election → ad as follows: (1)(a) For persons age eighteen years and older registerin W 29A.08.355(1), an application is considered complete onl ntains the information required by RCW 29A.08.010 and formation as required by the secretary of state. The appli nsidered to be registered to vote as of the original suance or renewal or date of change of address of an iver's license or enhanced identicard issued under RCW 46.20 ange of address for an existing enhanced driver's lic hanced identicard pursuant to RCW 46.20.205. (b) For persons sixteen or seventeen years of age reg der RCW 29A.08.355(2), an application is considered comple it contains the information required by RCW 29A.08.010 an formation as required by the secretary of state. The appli nsidered to be registered to vote as of the date set forth A.08.110(1). (c) The information must be transmitted daily to the secre ate. (i) If the information shows no name change or ch sidence or mailing address for an existing voter registrati ditor may choose to send the voter an acknowledgment notice. (ii) If the information is an application for new regi auditor shall send an automatic voter registration acknowledgment notice package within 60 days after the receipt of an application. Any mailing address provided shall be used only for mail delivery purposes, and not for precinct assignment or residency purposes. (iii) If the information indicates a residential address change, the auditor shall send an acknowledgment notice as required by RCW 29A.08.030. (d) An auditor may use other means to communicate with potential and registered voters such as, but not limited to, email, phone, or text messaging. The alternate form of communication must not be in lieu of the mail requirements. If the voter responds by email, phone, or text message, the mailed notice is not required. (b) If the reply declining registration is received after the deadline, the auditor shall cancel the voter's registration. (5) The department of licensing is prohibited from sharing data files used by the secretary of state to certify voters registered through the automated process outlined in RCW 29A.08.355 with any federal agency, or state agency other than the secretary of state. Personal information supplied for the purposes of obtaining a driver's license or identicard is exempt from public inspection pursuant to RCW 42.56.230.

  amended

• RCW 29A.08.030

  transaction, which can include initial registration, residential address change, or reactivation of an inactive registration → read as follows: The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Verification notice" means a notice sent by the county auditor or secretary of state to a voter registration applicant and is used to verify or collect information about the applicant in order to complete the registration. The verification notice must be designed to include a postage prepaid, preaddressed return form by which the applicant may verify or send information. (2) "Acknowledgment notice" means a notice sent by nonforwardable mail by the county auditor or secretary of state to a registered voter to acknowledge a voter registration transaction or an automatic voter registration transaction, which can include initial registration, residential address change, or reactivation of an inactive registration, identifying the registrant's precinct and containing such other information as may be required by the secretary of state. An acknowledgment notice may be a voter registration card. (3) "Automatic voter registration acknowledgment notice package" means a package of information sent by nonforwardable mail by the county auditor, to a registered voter who utilized the automatic voter registration process at the department of licensing, to acknowledge a voter registration . The package must include: (a) A postage prepaid, preaddressed return form by which the individual may decline to be registered to vote or decline the update; (b) A statement explaining that the person has become registered to vote or signed up to register to vote, as appropriate, setting p. 5 SB 5902 forth the qualifications to vote, stating that if the individual does not meet the qualifications to vote, the person shall return the notice and affirmatively decline in writing to register to vote, and that if the person wishes to cancel the voter registration at any time, that the person may contact their county auditor to do so; (c) Instructions regarding how an individual can obtain more information about the notice and assistance in the individual's preferred language, including languages as set forth in RCW 29A.08.270; (d) An acknowledgment notice; and (e) Other information required by the secretary of state. (4) "Identification notice" means a notice sent to a provisionally registered voter to confirm the applicant's identity. (5) "Confirmation notice" means a notice sent to a registered voter by first-class forwardable mail at the address indicated on the voter's permanent registration record and to any other address at which the county auditor or secretary of state could reasonably expect mail to be received by the voter in order to confirm the voter's residence address. The confirmation notice must be designed to include a postage prepaid, preaddressed return form by which the registrant may verify the address information. ⟦INS⟧--- END ---

  amended

Action History

1. January 20, 2026

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

2. January 12, 2026

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

3. December 16, 2025

   Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

• Sharon Shewmake · Cosponsor
• T'wina Nobles · Cosponsor
• Marcus Riccelli · Cosponsor
• Matt Boehnke · Primary
• Javier Valdez · Cosponsor

Subjects