Gov. Gregoire signs bills overhauling elections

For Immediate Release: May 3, 2005

OLYMPIA � May 3, 2005 � Gov. Christine Gregoire today signed eight election reform bills leading a major overhaul of Washington�s election system. These measures, including five recommendations by the Governor�s bipartisan Election Reform Task Force, make substantial improvements in Washington�s electoral process. Secretary of State Sam Reed and many state legislators joined Gregoire to celebrate a better future for Washington voters.

�We had a difficult and very close election last year,� said Gov. Gregoire. �Because of its closeness, we all learned a lot about how our state�s elections operate. Some things worked very well. There were problems in other areas. With these new laws we take major steps to restore the public�s confidence in the state�s voting process.�

The election overhaul guarantees voters that:

• There will be a voter-verifiable paper trail for electronic voting machines.


• Voters will be notified by the county elections office by phone if there is a problem with a signature.


• Identification will be required for all poll voters, or signature verification via provisional ballot for those who do not have identification.


• People who vote more than once will face tougher penalties.


• Election workers will be trained to do signature verification.


• Reviews of every county elections office will be conducted by the Secretary of State every three years.


• A manual of election laws and rules will be produced to promote standardization and statewide uniformity.


• Counties have the option of converting entirely to vote-by-mail.


• Military and out-of-state voters will find it easier to vote by mail.


• The statewide voter registration database is strengthened, requirements for person to register are clarified, and penalties are created for registering to vote without the proper requirements.

�I�m disappointed that the Legislature failed to pass one important election reform this year�moving the primary election to an earlier date,� said Gov. Gregoire. �This is important because it means that our military and overseas voters would get their ballots sooner. I will work with the Legislature next year to make sure this happens.�

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