RCW 29A.12.050

Approval by secretary of state required.

Redline — January 1, 2023 → current.View current text →

Current — January 1, 2026

As of January 1, 2023

(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.

~~If voting systems or devices or vote tallying systems are to be used for conducting a primary or election, only those that have the approval of the~~ secretary of state ~~or had been approved under this chapter or the former chapter 29.34 RCW before March 22, 1982, may be used. Any~~ modification, change, or improvement to any voting system or component of a system ~~that~~ does not ~~impair its accuracy, efficiency, or capacity or extend its function, may be made without~~ reexamination or reapproval by the secretary of state under RCW 29A.12.020.

(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.

Official source: Washington State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Washington statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.