These rules are adopted under authority of RCW 29A.04.611 to implement RCW 29A.76.040, the census mapping project administered by the secretary of state for the U.S. Census Bureau.

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Census mapping project" includes all functions performed by the secretary of state and each county auditor in the preparation, maintenance, distribution, and filing of precinct maps, detail maps, and census correspondence listings pursuant to RCW 29A.76.040.

(2) "Secretary of state" includes the secretary of state, assistant secretary of state, deputy secretary of state, or any other person authorized by the secretary of state to act in his or her behalf in the census mapping project.

(3) "County auditor" includes each county auditor, county elections official, or any other person authorized by the county auditor to act in his or her behalf in the census mapping project.

(4) "Census maps" refers to the maps provided by the U.S. Census Bureau which indicate census unit boundaries and numeric identification of such census units.

(5) "Census units" refers to the census geographic area designations for which the population count will be reported including census tracts, block groups, blocks, enumeration districts, and county census divisions.

(6) "Precinct maps" refers to the maps prepared by each county auditor pursuant to RCW 29A.76.040 which indicate the boundaries and numeric identification of each precinct in that county.

(7) "Precinct lists" refers to the lists prepared by each county auditor pursuant to RCW 29A.16.050(3) which indicate the names and consecutively assigned numbers of each precinct in that county.

(8) "Base maps" refers to the maps of each county which are provided by the secretary of state on which final detail maps will be prepared.

(9) "Census overlay maps" refers to the overlay maps prepared by the secretary of state which indicate census unit boundaries and numeric identification for the area covered by each base map.

(10) "Precinct overlay maps" refers to the overlay maps prepared by each county auditor which indicate precinct boundaries and numeric identification for the area covered by each base map.

(11) "Detail map" refers to the sets of maps produced by the combination of the base maps with the corresponding census and precinct overlay maps for each county.

(12) "Census correspondence listings" refers to the lists prepared by each county auditor pursuant to RCW 29A.76.040 which indicate the census units or portions of census units contained in each precinct in that county.

(1) Each county auditor shall maintain precinct maps of that county.

(2) Upon request, each county auditor shall transmit to the secretary of state one complete set of precinct maps of that county.

Upon request, each county auditor shall prepare and transmit to the secretary of state a precinct list of that county. Precinct names shall be listed in alphabetical order or numbered consecutively.

The secretary of state shall prepare and transmit to each county auditor the following:

(1) A set of base maps of that county;

(2) A set of census overlay maps for each base map of that county; and

(3) A sequential census unit listing, provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, which indicates all census units delineated on the census and base maps of that county.

Pursuant to the provisions of RCW 29A.76.040, each county auditor shall prepare precinct overlay maps for each base map of the county and each city and town within that county.

Pursuant to the provisions of RCW 29A.76.040, each county auditor shall prepare a census correspondence listing according to the following procedures:

(1) Record the census tracts or county census divisions (CCD) and the smallest census units in each area for which population counts are to be reported from the sequential census unit listing supplied by the U.S. Census Bureau. The order of census information on the census correspondence listing shall be identical to the sequential census unit listing.

(2) Record the number or numbers, as assigned pursuant to RCW 29A.16.050(3), of each precinct that is wholly or partially coextensive with the census unit.

(3) Where census unit or precinct boundaries are not coincident, estimate for each portion of a split census unit, the proportion of the total number of registered voters residing in each precinct containing a portion of the split census unit. Each county auditor shall refer to current voter registration lists and other available information to determine such estimated proportion of registered voters. Such estimates shall be expressed to at least the nearest 10 percent of the total number of registered voters within the precinct.

(1) Upon request, each county auditor shall send to the secretary of state the complete set of detail maps and census correspondence listings for that county;

(2) The secretary of state shall maintain the original sets of detail maps of each county;

(3) The secretary of state shall reproduce and distribute copies of detail maps to each county auditor for the actual cost of reproduction; and

(4) Each county auditor shall maintain copies of precinct maps, detail maps, and census correspondence listings of the county. Such maps shall be available for public inspection during normal office hours. Copies shall be made available to the public at actual reproduction cost.