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Bill

SB 5010

Creating an election security camera grant program.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Perry Dozier and 4 co-sponsors

The bill creates a grant program to fund camera installation at ballot drop boxes, limited to purchases, installation, or connection by county auditors and elections directors.

First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
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Bill Summary · SB 5010

Summary of SB 5010 — Election Security Camera Grant Program

Overview

SB 5010 proposes a new grant program administered by the Washington Secretary of State to purchase and install security cameras around ballot drop boxes. The program is designed to improve election security and monitoring of ballot drop box locations. The bill specifies that only county auditors and elections directors may receive these grants and limits eligible uses of the funds to camera-related costs (purchase, installation, or connection); funds may not cover ongoing operational costs.

Key Provisions

  • New Section Addendum: Creates a new section to chapter 29A.04 RCW establishing the grant program.
  • Administering Authority: The Secretary of State must create and administer the grant program.
  • Eligible Recipients: Only county auditors and elections directors are eligible to receive grants under this program.
  • Eligible Uses of Funds: Grant funds may be used only for the purchase, installation, or connection of cameras at ballot drop boxes.
  • Prohibited Uses: Funds may not be used for ongoing operational costs of cameras (e.g., maintenance, monitoring, or staffing).

Eligibility and Scope

  • The program targets the security and integrity of ballot drop boxes by enabling camera installation.
  • Eligibility is limited to certain local election officials (county auditors and elections directors).

Funding and Implementation Details

  • The bill specifies the purpose and scope of the funds but does not include:
    • An appropriated funding amount or funding source.
    • Detailed application, grant amounts, or grant periods.
    • Compliance, reporting requirements, or oversight mechanisms (in the text provided).

Affected Parties

  • State Level: Secretary of State (responsible for creating and administering the grant program).
  • Local Level: County auditors and elections directors (eligible grant recipients who would implement camera installations at ballot drop boxes).
  • Election Infrastructure: Ballot drop boxes (locations where cameras would be installed under the grant program).

Legislative Status and Timeline

  • Introduced: December 3, 2024 (prefiled).
  • First Reading: January 13, 2025.
  • Committee: Referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
  • Next Steps: The bill would require committee consideration (hearings, potential amendments) followed by floor votes in the Senate and, if passed, moves to the House as part of the standard legislative process.

Practical Implications

  • If enacted, the program would formalize state support for securing ballot drop box sites through camera installations.
  • Local election offices would need to apply for and manage grants, ensuring that expenditures meet the specified use limits.
  • The absence of funding specifics means additional legislative action may be needed to set appropriations and implementation timelines.

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

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