County auditors must request that observers be appointed by the major political parties to be present during the processing of ballots at the counting center. County auditors have discretion to also request that observers be appointed by any campaigns or organizations. The absence of the observers will not prevent the processing of ballots if the county auditor has requested their presence. Observers may not touch any ballots, ballot materials, or election systems. Unauthorized physical contact, or access to ballots or election systems[,] is a crime subject to punishment under chapter 29A.84 RCW.
RCW 29A.40.100
Observers.
Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case 188 Wash. App. 886 - White v. Skagit County (2015)
Most recently applied in 3 Wash. 3d 614 - In re Recall of Weyrich (August 2024)
2024 c 28 s 3; 2011 c 10 s 40; 2003 c 111 s 1010
Official source: Washington State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Washington statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.