Washington Administrative Code
Title 434 - Secretary of State
Chapter 434-230 - Ballots
Section 434-230-015 - Ballots and instructions
Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1) Each ballot shall specify the county, the date, and whether the election is a primary, special or general.
(2) Each ballot must include instructions directing the voter how to mark the ballot, including write-in votes if candidate races appear on the ballot.
(3) Instructions that accompany a ballot must:
"I do solemnly swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that I am:
A United States citizen;
A Washington state resident that meet s the requirements for voting mandated by state law;
At least 18 years old on election day, or 17 years old at the primary and 18 years old by the day of the November general election;
Voting only once in this election and not voting in any other United States jurisdiction;
Not serving a sentence of total confinement under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections for a Washington felony conviction or currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction;
Not disqualified from voting due to a court order; and
Aware it is illegal to forge a signature or cast another person's ballot and that attempting to vote when not qualified, attempting to vote more than once, or falsely signing this declaration is a felony punishable by a maximum imprisonment of five years, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both."
The declaration must include space for the voter to sign and date the declaration, for the voter to write his or her phone number, and for two witnesses to sign if the voter is unable to sign.
"In each race, you may vote for any one candidate listed. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary will advance to the general election.
Each candidate for partisan office may state a political party that he or she prefers. A candidate's preference does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party, or that the party approves of or associates with that candidate."
"If a primary election was held for an office, the two candidates who received the most votes in the primary advanced to the general election.
Each candidate for partisan office may state a political party that he or she prefers. A candidate's preference does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party, or that the party approves of or associates with that candidate."
"The election for president and vice president is different. Candidates for president and vice president are the official nominees of their political party."
(4) Instructions that accompany a special absentee ballot authorized by RCW 29A.40.050 must also explain that the voter may request and subsequently vote a regular ballot, and that if the regular ballot is received by the county auditor, the regular ballot will be tabulated and the special absentee ballot will be voided.
(5) Each ballot must explain, either in the general instructions or in the heading of each race, the number of candidates for whom the voter may vote (e.g., "vote for one").
(6)
(7) Counties may use varying sizes and colors of ballots, provided such size and color is used consistently throughout a region, area or jurisdiction (e.g., legislative district, commissioner district, school district, etc.). Varying color and size may also be used to designate various types of ballots.
(8) Ballots shall be formatted as provided in RCW 29A.36.170.
(9) Removable stubs are not considered part of the ballot.
(10) If ballots are printed with sequential numbers or other sequential identifiers, the county auditor must take steps to prevent ballots from being issued sequentially, in order to protect secrecy of the ballot.
Counties may use ballot envelopes with the previous declaration through December 2021.
Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. 11-24-064, § 434-230-015, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 09-18-098, § 434-230-015, filed 9/1/09, effective 10/2/09; 08-15-052, § 434-230-015, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08.