2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 29A.60.160: Absentee ballots. (Expires July 1, 2013.)

Except for an election conducted under the instant runoff voting method for the pilot project authorized by RCW 29A.53.020, [and] except Sundays and legal holidays, the county auditor, as delegated by the county canvassing board, shall process absentee ballots and canvass the votes cast at that primary or election on a daily basis in counties with a population of seventy-five thousand or more, or at least every third day for counties with a population of less than seventy-five thousand, if the county auditor is in possession of more than twenty-five ballots that have yet to be canvassed. The county auditor, as delegated by the county canvassing board, may use his or her discretion in determining when to process the remaining absentee ballots and canvass the votes during the final four days before the certification of election results in order to protect the secrecy of any ballot. In counties where this process has not been delegated to the county auditor, the county auditor shall convene the county canvassing board to process absentee ballots and canvass the votes cast at the primary or election as set forth in this section.

Except for an election conducted under the instant runoff voting method for the pilot project authorized by RCW 29A.53.020, each absentee ballot previously not canvassed that was received by the county auditor two days or more before processing absentee ballots and canvassing the votes as delegated by or processed by the county canvassing board, that either was received by the county auditor before the closing of the polls on the day of the primary or election for which it was issued, or that bears a postmark on or before the primary or election for which it was issued, must be processed at that time. The tabulation of votes that results from that day's canvass must be made available to the general public immediately upon completion of the canvass.

[2005 c 243 § 15; 2005 c 153 § 11; 2003 c 111 § 1516; 1999 c 259 § 4; 1995 c 139 § 2; 1987 c 54 § 2; 1965 c 9 § 29.62.020. Prior: 1957 c 195 § 15; prior: 1919 c 163 § 21, part; Code 1881 § 3095, part; 1868 p 20 § 1, part; 1865 p 39 § 6, part; RRS § 5340, part. Formerly RCW 29.62.020.]

Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2005 c 153 § 11 and by 2005 c 243 § 15, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).      Expiration date--2005 c 153 §§ 11 and 12: "Sections 11 and 12 of this act expire July 1, 2013." [2005 c 153 § 14.]      Captions not law -- Severability--2005 c 153: See RCW 29A.53.901 and 29A.53.902. Absentee ballots, canvassing: RCW 29A.40.110. RCW 29A.60.160 Except Sundays and legal holidays, the county auditor, as delegated by the county canvassing board, shall process absentee ballots and canvass the votes cast at that primary or election on a daily basis in counties with a population of seventy-five thousand or more, or at least every third day for counties with a population of less than seventy-five thousand, if the county auditor is in possession of more than twenty-five ballots that have yet to be canvassed. The county auditor, as delegated by the county canvassing board, may use his or her discretion in determining when to process the remaining absentee ballots and canvass the votes during the final four days before the certification of election results in order to protect the secrecy of any ballot. In counties where this process has not been delegated to the county auditor, the county auditor shall convene the county canvassing board to process absentee ballots and canvass the votes cast at the primary or election as set forth in this section. Each absentee ballot previously not canvassed that was received by the county auditor two days or more before processing absentee ballots and canvassing the votes as delegated by or processed by the county canvassing board, that either was received by the county auditor before the closing of the polls on the day of the primary or election for which it was issued, or that bears a postmark on or before the primary or election for which it was issued, must be processed at that time. The tabulation of votes that results from that day's canvass must be made available to the general public immediately upon completion of the canvass. [2005 c 243 § 15; 2003 c 111 § 1516; 1999 c 259 § 4; 1995 c 139 § 2; 1987 c 54 § 2; 1965 c 9 § 29.62.020. Prior: 1957 c 195 § 15; prior: 1919 c 163 § 21, part; Code 1881 § 3095, part; 1868 p 20 § 1, part; 1865 p 39 § 6, part; RRS § 5340, part. Formerly RCW 29.62.020.] Notes: 29A.40.110.