Voter registration, update—Services (as amended by 2023 c 361).
(1) Before issuing an original license or identicard or renewing a license or identicard under this chapter, the licensing agent shall determine if the applicant wants to register to vote or update his or her voter registration by asking the following question:
"Do you want to register or sign up to vote or update your voter registration?"
If the applicant chooses to register, sign up, or update a registration, the agent shall ask the following:
(((1))) "Are you a United States citizen?"
(((2) "Are you at least sixteen years old?"))
If the applicant answers in the affirmative((to both questions)), the agent shall then submit the registration, sign up form, or update. If the applicant answers in the negative to ((either))the question, the agent shall not submit an application.
(2) Information that is otherwise disclosable under chapter 29A.08 RCW cannot be disclosed ((on the))for a future voter until the person reaches eighteen years of age((, except))or until the person is eligible to participate in the next presidential primary, primary, or election, or for the purpose of processing and delivering ballots.
(((2)))(3) The department shall establish a procedure that substantially meets the requirements of subsection (1) of this section when permitting an applicant to renew a license or identicard by mail or by electronic commerce.
[ 2023 c 361 s 13; (2023 c 361 s 12 expired September 1, 2023); 2020 c 208 s 8; 2018 c 109 s 15; 2013 c 11 s 90; 2009 c 369 s 42; 2005 c 246 s 24; 2004 c 249 s 7; 2001 c 41 s 14; 1990 c 143 s 6.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2023 c 361 s 13: "Section 13 of this act takes effect September 1, 2023." [ 2023 c 361 s 18.]
Expiration date—2023 c 361 s 12: "Section 12 of this act expires September 1, 2023." [ 2023 c 361 s 17.]
Voter registration, update—Services (as amended by 2023 c 466).
(1) ((Before))(a) For transactions other than enhanced driver's license or enhanced identicard applicants, before issuing an original license or identicard or renewing a license or identicard under this chapter, the licensing agent shall determine if the applicant wants to register to vote or update his or her voter registration by asking the following question:
"Do you want to register or sign up to vote or update your voter registration?"
The department of licensing, with the approval of the secretary of state, may direct licensing agents to ask a substantially similar question designed to improve applicant understanding.
(b) If the applicant chooses to register, sign up, or update a registration, the agent shall ask the following:
(((1))) "Are you a United States citizen?"
(((2) "Are you at least sixteen years old?"))
If the applicant answers in the affirmative to ((both))the question((s)), the agent shall then submit the registration, sign up form, or update. If the applicant answers in the negative to ((either))the question, the agent shall not submit an application. Information that is otherwise disclosable under chapter 29A.08 RCW cannot be disclosed on the future voter until the person reaches eighteen years of age, except for the purpose of processing and delivering ballots.
(2) The department shall establish a procedure that substantially meets the requirements of subsection (1) of this section when permitting an applicant to renew a license or identicard by mail or by electronic commerce.
(3) If an applicant presents a document demonstrating that the applicant is not a United States citizen at the time of the driver's license or identicard transaction, the licensing agent shall not ask the questions described in subsection (1) of this section, and shall not submit an application. The department, in consultation with the secretary of state, shall determine which types of documents accepted by the department for purposes of a driver's license or identicard transaction demonstrate that an applicant is not a United States citizen at the time of the transaction.
[ 2023 c 466 s 21; 2020 c 208 s 8; 2018 c 109 s 15; 2013 c 11 s 90; 2009 c 369 s 42; 2005 c 246 s 24; 2004 c 249 s 7; 2001 c 41 s 14; 1990 c 143 s 6.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2023 c 466 ss 3, 4, 6, 11, 13-16, and 20-23: See note following RCW 29A.08.030.
Effective date—2020 c 208 ss 7, 8, 18, 20, and 21: See note following RCW 29A.08.355.
Short title—Findings—2020 c 208: See notes following RCW 29A.08.210.
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 109: See notes following RCW 29A.08.170.
Effective date—2005 c 246: See note following RCW 10.64.140.
Effective date—1990 c 143: See note following RCW 29A.08.340.
Voter registration with driver licensing: RCW 29A.08.340 and 29A.08.350.