2019 Revised Code of Washington
Title 29A - Elections
Chapter 29A.08 - Voters and Registration.
29A.08.720 Registration, voting records—As public records—Information furnished—Restrictions, confidentiality.
RCW 29A.08.720 Registration, voting records—As public records—Information furnished—Restrictions, confidentiality.
(1) In the case of voter registration records received through the health benefit exchange, the department of licensing, or an agency designated under RCW 29A.08.310, the identity of the office or agency at which any particular individual registered to vote must be used only for voter registration purposes, is not available for public inspection, and shall not be disclosed to the public. Any record of a particular individual's choice not to register to vote at an office of the department of licensing or a state agency designated under RCW 29A.08.310 is not available for public inspection and any information regarding such a choice by a particular individual shall not be disclosed to the public. Information that is otherwise disclosable under this chapter 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)(a) Subject to the restrictions of RCW 29A.08.710 and 40.24.060, and (b) of this subsection, precinct lists and current lists of registered voters are public records and must be made available for public inspection and copying under such reasonable rules and regulations as the county auditor or secretary of state may prescribe. The county auditor or secretary of state shall promptly furnish current lists of registered voters in his or her possession, at actual reproduction cost, to any person requesting such information. The lists shall not be used for the purpose of mailing or delivering any advertisement or offer for any property, establishment, organization, product, or service or for the purpose of mailing or delivering any solicitation for money, services, or anything of value. However, the lists and labels may be used for any political purpose. The county auditor or secretary of state must provide a copy of RCW 29A.08.740 to the person requesting the material that is released under this section.
(b) The personally identifiable information of individuals who are under the age of eighteen are exempt from public inspection and copying until the subject of the record is eighteen years of age, except for the purpose of processing and delivering ballots.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "political purpose" means a purpose concerned with the support of or opposition to any candidate for any partisan or nonpartisan office or concerned with the support of or opposition to any ballot proposition or issue. "Political purpose" includes, but is not limited to, such activities as the advertising for or against any candidate or ballot measure or the solicitation of financial support.
[ 2018 c 110 § 206; 2018 c 109 § 11; 2011 c 10 § 18; 2009 c 369 § 34; 2005 c 246 § 18; 2004 c 266 § 9; 2003 c 111 § 247; 1994 c 57 § 5; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 46 § 1; 1974 ex.s. c 127 § 2; 1973 1st ex.s. c 111 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 202 § 3; 1965 ex.s. c 156 § 6. Formerly RCW 29.04.100.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2018 c 109 § 11 and by 2018 c 110 § 206, 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).
Short title—Findings—Intent—2018 c 110: See notes following RCW 29A.08.355.
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 109: See notes following RCW 29A.08.170.
Notice to registered poll voters—Elections by mail—2011 c 10: See note following RCW 29A.04.008.
Effective date—2005 c 246: See note following RCW 10.64.140.
Effective date—2004 c 266: See note following RCW 29A.04.575.
Severability—1994 c 57: See note following RCW 29A.16.040.
Forms, secretary of state to design—Availability to public: RCW 29A.08.850.
