House passes bill to work with tribes on voting access and study secure electronic ballot return

The Washington House on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 6035, a measure directing the secretary of state and county auditors to meet regularly with federally recognized tribes about voting access on reservations, ballot drop boxes, voting centers and outreach.

"Voter turnout on Native American lands and among the population is lower than the average," Representative Charlotte Mena said in support, urging officials to work with tribes to determine how best to serve those communities.

The bill also authorizes the secretary of state to study the feasibility of a secure electronic ballot-return portal aimed at military and overseas voters, voters with disabilities and tribal members living on reservations. The measure does not authorize use of such a portal; it only allows the feasibility study.

Opponents raised cybersecurity and funding concerns. Representative Kevin Waters said earlier problems with an online portal had been removed, but he warned the bill could create an unfunded mandate for county auditors.

On the House floor the tally was reported as 57 yays, 36 nays and 5 excused; a presiding officer declared that, having received a constitutional majority, the second substitute Senate Bill 6035 as amended by the House was passed and would return to the Senate for further review. The bill previously passed the Senate on a party-line vote, according to the program's report.