Washington Administrative Code
Title 434 - Secretary of State
Chapter 434-262 - Canvassing and certification
Section 434-262-031 - Rejection of ballots or parts of ballots

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 434-262-031

Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024

(1) The disposition of provisional ballots is governed by WAC 434-262-032. The county canvassing board must reject any ballot cast by a voter who was not qualified to vote, or for other reasons required by law or administrative rule. A log must be kept of all voted ballots rejected, and must be included in the minutes of each county canvassing board meeting.

(2) Ballots or parts of ballots shall be rejected by the canvassing board in the following instances:

(a) Where two voted ballots are returned together:
(i) If the two ballots are returned with only one valid signature on the ballot declaration, the races and measures voted the same on both ballots may be counted once;

(ii) If the two ballots are returned with two valid signatures on the ballot declaration, both ballots may be counted in their entirety;

(iii) If two ballots are returned with one valid signature on the ballot declaration, one voted ballot and one blank ballot without marked votes, the voted ballot may be counted in its entirety.

(b) Where a ballot or parts of a ballot are marked in such a way that it is not possible to determine the voter's intent consistent with WAC 434-261-086;

(c) Where the voter has voted for candidates or issues for whom he or she is not entitled to vote;

(d) Where the voter has overvoted;

(e) Where the ballot was created for a prior election.

Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. 11-24-064, § 434-262-031, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 09-12-078, § 434-262-031, filed 5/29/09, effective 6/29/09; 08-15-052, § 434-262-031, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; 07-20-074, § 434-262-031, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; 07-02-100, § 434-262-031, filed 1/3/07, effective 2/3/07; 06-14-049, § 434-262-031, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06; 05-17-145, § 434-262-031, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.

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