Democrats in Washington State have introduced new legislation that would allow certain voters to cast ballots online, expanding the state’s already broad mail-in voting system.
Senate Bill 6035 would authorize the Secretary of State to create an online voting portal for specific categories of voters.
The categories include military service members, overseas voters, and individuals with disabilities.
Washington already conducts elections through an automatic vote-by-mail system.
Every registered voter in the state is mailed a ballot for all elections without needing to request one.
According to The Post Millennial, counties using the proposed online system “would be required to track every ballot submission attempt and confirm that only eligible voters used the portal, with statewide reporting compiled annually.”
The outlet added that, if enacted, the bill would take effect 90 days after the legislative session adjourns.
Full implementation would be required by January 1, 2029.
The legislation was introduced by Sen. Claudia Kauffman and co-sponsored by Sens. Jamie Pedersen, Noelle Frame, Marko Liias, T’wina Nobles, Marcus Riccelli, Patty Kuderer Slatter, Derek Stanford, Claire Wilson Trudeau, and Javier Valdez.
The state senators behind the bill are all Democrats.
DOJ Lawsuits Add National Context
The proposal comes as Washington is among more than 20 states facing lawsuits from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ is suing the state over alleged failures to provide statewide voter-registration lists to federal investigators.
Most of the states targeted in the litigation are Democrat-led or battleground jurisdictions.
States named in the suits include Washington, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
The Justice Department argues the records are necessary to determine whether states are properly maintaining voter rolls.
The DOJ is citing the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1960.
Thus far, courts have largely ruled against the federal government’s position.
In January, a California court determined the federal demands violated privacy laws, while similar cases in Oregon and Georgia were also dismissed.
Broader Election Policy Debate
The online-voting proposal now moves forward against the backdrop of ongoing national disputes over election security, voter-roll transparency, and the scope of federal oversight in state-run election systems.
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.