(1) Prior to use in conducting any primary or election, the secretary of state must approve systems used in the conduct of elections, including:
(a) Voting systems, voting devices, or vote tallying systems, unless approved under this chapter or the former chapter 29.34 RCW before March 22, 1982; and
(b) Any mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic equipment or platform, including software, firmware, or hardware that is used:
(i) In issuing a ballot;
(ii) To facilitate voters' response to a required notice;
(iii) To provide an electronic means for submission of a ballot declaration signature under RCW 29A.60.165; or
(iv) To issue, authenticate, or validate voter identification.
(2) The secretary of state may, after review, determine that a modification, change, or improvement to any voting system or component of a system does not require a full reexamination or reapproval by the secretary of state under RCW 29A.12.020.