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Bill

SB 5077

Concerning expansion of voter registration services by government agencies.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jess Bateman and 7 co-sponsors

SB 5077 lets the Governor designate agencies to offer automatic voter registration and automatic updates, widening access and interagency data sharing.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 5077

Summary — SB 5077 (Chapter 330, 2025 Laws)

Effective date: July 27, 2025
Signed by Governor: May 17, 2025

Purpose

SB 5077 expands where and how voter registration (including automatic voter registration, AVR) and automatic updates to existing registrations may be offered by government-related entities. The bill directs the Governor, in consultation with the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS), to decide which additional state, local, federal, and tribal agencies may implement AVR or automatic updates and sets procedures for data-sharing between agencies (notably the Health Benefit Exchange and Department of Licensing) and OSOS.

Key provisions

  • Governor discretion and scope

    • The Governor, consulting with OSOS, shall decide (final decision at the Governor’s sole discretion) which agencies may:
    • Implement automatic voter registration if they collect names, addresses, dates of birth, signature attestations, and citizenship verification (e.g., via SSA match); and/or
    • Implement automatic updates to existing voter registrations if they collect names, addresses, and dates of birth.
    • This authority extends to consenting local, federal, and tribal agencies (including federal agencies administering naturalization ceremonies).

  • Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) / Washington Healthplanfinder

    • HBE may transmit consenting applicants’ name, residential and mailing address, and DOB to OSOS for AVR when applicants are Washington residents, age 18+, and citizenship is reliably verified through an electronic database match.
    • HBE must notify applicants within 5 business days of application that their information will be shared for voter registration unless they decline; applicants have 15 days from mailing to decline.
    • HBE need not transmit if OSOS shows the applicant is already registered with the same name and address.
    • If implementation requires CMS approval (Medicaid-related), deployment is contingent on receiving that approval.

  • Data, signatures, and procedures

    • OSOS may obtain a digital copy of an applicant’s signature image from DOL (when available) after confirming an agency application contains a signature attesting to the truth of the application.
    • AVR and automatic-update implementations must substantially meet the procedural requirements already used by the Department of Licensing.
    • Agencies may not begin verifying citizenship solely for the purpose of providing AVR.

  • Online registration via agency/university websites

    • OSOS is authorized to provide an API/application for online voter registration hosted on approved government agency and institution of higher learning websites. (A House amendment removed authorization for third‑party organizations to host the API.)

  • Department of Corrections (DOC)

    • If DOC is designated to provide registration services, county auditors must process transmitted applications; registrants may be classified as pending until eligibility is confirmed. (Full DOC procedures are in the amended statutes.)

Who is affected

  • Eligible Washington voters (citizens, residents 18+, not disqualified by law) — more locations/channels to register or update registration.
  • State agencies providing public assistance, services to persons with disabilities, HBE, DOL, OSOS, county auditors, DOC, federally recognized tribes, and consenting local/federal agencies.
  • Higher education institutions hosting the OSOS online registration interface.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Amends RCW 29A.08.365, 29A.08.362, 29A.08.310, and 29A.08.123.
  • Passed Legislature: Senate (Apr 17, 2025; 30–19), House (Apr 11, 2025; 59–37). Delivered to Governor Apr 23, 2025; chaptered as Chapter 330.
  • Effective date: July 27, 2025.
  • Implementation requires coordination between OSOS, DOL, HBE, and any designated agencies; some HBE actions may be contingent on federal (CMS) approval.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Expected to broaden access points for voter registration and increase automatic updates, likely increasing registration completeness and accuracy.
  • Expands interagency data-sharing and use of digital signatures — raises operational, cybersecurity, and privacy considerations that the bill requires agencies to address when establishing procedures.
  • Final expansion depends on Governor decisions and consenting agencies, so rollout timing and scope will vary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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