Washington State Legislature Passes Enhancements to its State Voting Rights Act

Brian Beihl

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 21, 2023

Graphic: Free the Vote WA

Note: Today’s Links Moved Below!

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

While other states attempt to curb access to voting, the State of Washington moved last week to expand access and enhance its Washington Voting Rights Act.  

April 13th, Gov. Jay Inslee signed HB 1048, which further empowers voters, and improves enforcement mechanisms in the 2018 Washington Voting Rights Act. The WVRA was passed to counteract the erosion of the Federal Voting Rights Act provisions struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

HB 1048 directs the state court to lean toward protecting voters. QUOTE “State and local laws related to the right to vote must be construed liberally in favor of protecting the right to vote and ensuring that all voters have equitable access to register and participate in elections.”

The bill also further defines who can sue if voting rights are violated, and confirms the right of a Native American tribe to sue on behalf of its members.

Two other bills await the Governor’s signature.   SB 5112 strengthens Washington’s automatic voter registration system with several housekeeping changes and improves noticing by mail of changes or issues.   SB 5208 expands identification options for online voter registration to include the last four digits of a Social Security number, or an ID issued by one of Washington’s tribal nations.

We have links to the bills and groups taking action  at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. Follow us on Facebook @AmericanDemocracyMinute.   I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Democracy Docket – Washington Enacts Improvement To State Voting Rights Act
Washington House of Representatives – Analysis of HB 1048
Washington Legislature – Bill Text of HB 1048
Washington Legislature – Bill Text of SB 5208
Washington Legislature – Bill Text of SB 5112
Governor’s Office – (2018) –  Washington Voting Rights Act

Groups Taking Action:

Washington Voting Justice Coalition, League of Women Voters WA, Native Vote WA,  Native American Rights Fund, ACLU WA

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