Source: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2009/24/09-24-106.htm
Timestamp: 2019-12-07 19:52:34
Document Index: 278056194

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 3', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 3', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434', '§ 434']

WSR 09-24-106
[ Filed December 2, 2009, 9:33 a.m. ]
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 09-19-062.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Election related procedures, including upgrades, clarification and improvements to candidate filing, vote by mail, recounts voting systems, and the state voters' pamphlet. Also includes an updated voter registration form.
Hearing Location(s): Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, 520 Union Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, on January 8, 2010, at 2:30 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: January 11, 2010.
Submit Written Comments to: Joanie Deutsch, P.O. Box 40220, Olympia, WA 98504-0220, e-mail joanie.deutsch@sos.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-5629, by January 8, 2010.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Carolyn Berger, by January 8, 2010, TTY (800) 422-8683 or (360) 902-4182.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: These rules are regarding a number of issues needed for preparation and implementation of upcoming elections. A new section clarifying procedures in the event of an emergency. Updating and amending candidate filing, vote by mail, recount, voting systems and the state voters' pamphlet. Inserting a new voter registration form.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 29A.20.021, 29A.24.031, 29A.24.040, 29A.46.260, 29A.48.020, 29A.48.050, 29A.64.011, 29A.08.135, 29A.08.605, 29A.08.010, 29A.12.030, 29A.12.050, 29A.12.080, 29A.32.050, and 29A.32.060.
WAC 434-208-120 Emergencies. As chief election officer, the secretary of state shall make reasonable rules consistent with federal and state election laws to effectuate any provision of Title 29A RCW and to facilitate the execution of its provisions in an orderly, timely, and uniform manner relating to any federal, state, county, city, town, and district election. In the event of a natural or manmade disaster or catastrophe, the secretary of state will consult with county auditors of impacted counties to determine the impact of the disaster or catastrophe on the administration of the election, and how best to mitigate that impact. The secretary of state may adopt emergency rules and procedures necessary to facilitate administration of the election in the impacted counties. The emergency rules and procedures must be limited in duration and scope to that necessary to administer the election. A natural or manmade disaster or catastrophe may include, but is not limited to, fire, flood, mudslide, landslide, tsunami, extreme snow or wind, pandemic, technological failure, or broad scale violence or terrorism.
OTS-2822.1
WAC 434-215-004 Filing information -- Questionnaire -- Compiling and dissemination. (1) Prior to March 1, the county auditor shall send a questionnaire to the administrative authority of each local jurisdiction for which the auditor is the candidate filing officer subject to the provisions of RCW 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330. The questionnaire must be sent in the year the local jurisdiction is scheduled to elect officers. The purpose of the questionnaire shall be to confirm information which the auditor must use to properly conduct candidate filings for each office. The questionnaire should request, at a minimum, confirmation of offices to be filled at the general election that year, the name of the incumbent, and the annual salary for the position at the time of the filing period. Responses should be received prior to April 1 of that year so that the filing information can be compiled and disseminated to the public at least two weeks prior to the candidate filing period.
(2) If a jurisdiction fails to notify the county auditor that an office is to be filled at the general election and therefore the office is not included in the regular candidate filing period, the county auditor shall conduct a special three day filing period for that office under the time frames established in RCW 29A.24.171 through 29A.24.191.
WAC 434-215-012 Declaration of candidacy(( -- Offices subject to a primary)). Declarations of candidacy filed either in person or by mail shall be in substantially the following form:
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 08-15-052, § 434-215-012, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; 06-14-049, § 434-215-012, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06. Statutory Authority: 2002 c 140 § 3. 02-15-156, § 434-215-012, filed 7/23/02, effective 8/23/02. 02-09-007, recodified as § 434-215-012, filed 4/4/02, effective 4/4/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. 97-21-045, recodified as § 434-228-012, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97. Statutory Authority: 1990 c 59. 92-12-083, § 434-28-012, filed 6/2/92, effective 7/3/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080. 84-15-050 (Order 84-2), § 434-28-012, filed 7/16/84; 80-05-014 (Order 80-1), § 434-28-012, filed 4/8/80.]
WAC 434-215-025 Filing fee petitions. (1) When a candidate submits a filing fee petition in lieu of his or her filing fee, as authorized by RCW 29A.24.091, voters eligible to vote on the office in the general election are eligible to sign the candidate's filing fee petition.
(2) The filing fee petition described in RCW 29A.24.101(3) does not apply. The filing fee petition must be in substantially the following form:
"We, the undersigned registered voters of [the jurisdiction of the office], hereby petition that [candidate's] name be printed on the ballot for the office of [office for which candidate is filing a declaration of candidacy]."
(3) A candidate submitting a filing fee petition in the place of a filing fee may not file the declaration of candidacy electronically.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 08-15-052, § 434-215-025, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; 07-09-036, § 434-215-025, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07.]
WAC 434-215-070 Electronic filing -- ((Standards)) Requirements. An electronic system to file declarations of candidacy shall be an online system accessible to candidates on the world wide web that ((records the information specified in RCW 29A.24.031 (1) through (4) and WAC 434-215-090. At a minimum, the system shall perform the following functions)) is capable of:
(1) ((Verify)) Recording each candidate's name, date of birth, voter registration address, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, and political party preference for partisan offices, and the office and position number for which each candidate is filing;
(2) Verifying the candidate's voter registration status, and that the voter registration address is within the jurisdiction of the office for which the candidate is filing;
(((2) Check the candidate's name against the name returned by the electronic transfer of funds process;
(3) Allow the filing officer to verify filings before filing information is made public;
(4) Accept)) (3) Accepting electronic transfer of funds for the payment of filing fees((, except that a candidate submitting a filing fee petition in the place of a filing fee may not file the declaration of candidacy electronically));
(((5) Inform)) (4) Informing, and require ((the)) each candidate to acknowledge, that submission of the form constitutes agreement that the information provided with the filing is true, that he or she will support the Constitution and laws of the United States and the state of Washington, and that he or she agrees to electronic payment of ((the)) any filing fees; and
(((6) Inform the candidate that knowingly providing false information on a declaration of candidacy is a class C felony as provided by RCW 29A.84.311.)) (5) Allowing the filing officer to verify each filing before it is made public.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 05-17-145, § 434-215-070, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05. Statutory Authority: 2002 c 140 § 3. 02-15-156, § 434-215-070, filed 7/23/02, effective 8/23/02.]
WAC 434-215-170 Filing qualifications. State law requires a candidate, at the time of filing the declaration of candidacy, to possess all qualifications of the office. A candidate is not relieved of this requirement simply because he or she expects to possess the qualifications at a later date, such as prior to the beginning of the term.
WAC 434-215-090 Electronic filing -- Required information.
OTS-2823.3
(a) How to cancel a vote by drawing a line through the text of the candidate's name or ballot measure response;
(c) ((Notice that, if a voter has signed or otherwise identified himself or herself on a ballot, the ballot will not be counted;
(d))) An explanation of how to complete and sign the affidavit on the return envelope;
(((e))) (d) An explanation of how to make a mark, witnessed by two other people, if unable to sign the affidavit;
(((f))) (e) An explanation of how to place the ballot in the security envelope and place the security envelope in the return envelope;
(((g))) (f) An explanation of how to obtain a replacement ballot if the original ballot is destroyed, spoiled, or lost;
(((h))) (g) Notice that postage is required, if applicable;
(((i))) (h) Notice that, in order for the ballot to be counted, it must be either postmarked or deposited at a designated deposit site no later than election day;
(((j))) (i) An explanation of how to learn about the locations, hours, and services of voting centers and ballot deposit sites, including the availability of accessible voting equipment;
(((k))) (j) For a primary election that includes a partisan office, a notice on a separate insert ((printed on colored paper)) explaining:
"Washington has a new primary. You do not have to pick a party. In each race, you may vote for any candidate listed. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the August primary will advance to the November general election.
(((l))) (k)(i) For a general election that includes a partisan office, the following explanation:
"Washington has a new election system. In each race for partisan office, the two candidates who receive the most votes in the August primary advance to the November general election.
(ii) In a year that president and vice-president appear on the general election ballot, the following must be added to the statement required by (((l))) (k)(i) of this subsection:
(((m))) (l) Any other information the county auditor deems necessary.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 09-03-110, § 434-250-040, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09; 08-15-052, § 434-250-040, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; 07-24-044, § 434-250-040, filed 11/30/07, effective 12/31/07; 07-09-036, § 434-250-040, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07; 06-23-094, § 434-250-040, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06; 05-17-145, § 434-250-040, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]
(2) A return envelope, which must be addressed to the county auditor and have a hole punched in a manner that will reveal whether the security envelope is inside. The return envelope must display the official election materials notice required by the United States Postal Service, the words "POSTAGE REQUIRED" or "POSTAGE PAID" in the upper right-hand corner, and the following oath with a place for the voter to sign, date, and write his or her daytime phone number:
((I am)) A citizen of the United States;
((I am)) A legal resident of the state of Washington;
((I will be)) At least 18 years old on ((or before)) election day;
((I am)) Not ((presently denied my voting rights as a result of being convicted of a felony)) ineligible to vote due to a felony conviction;
((I have)) Not ((been judicially declared mentally incompetent)) disqualified from voting due to a court order; and
((I have not already voted)) Voting only once in this election((; and
I understand it is illegal to cast a ballot or sign a ballot envelope on behalf of another voter)).
It is illegal to forge a signature or cast another person's ballot. Attempting to vote when not qualified, attempting to vote more than once, or falsely signing this oath is a felony punishable by a maximum imprisonment of five years, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.
Signature of voter Date
The return envelope must include space for witnesses to sign.
The return envelope must conform to postal department regulations.
County auditors may use existing stock of envelopes until June 30, 2010.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 09-03-110, § 434-250-050, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09; 08-15-052, § 434-250-050, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; 07-24-044, § 434-250-050, filed 11/30/07, effective 12/31/07; 07-09-036, § 434-250-050, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07; 05-17-145, § 434-250-050, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]
WAC 434-250-100 Ballot deposit sites and voting centers. (1) If a location only receives ballots and does not issue any ballots, it is considered a ballot deposit site. Ballot deposit sites may be staffed or unstaffed.
(a) If a ballot deposit site is staffed, it must be staffed by at least two people. Deposit site staff may be employees of the county auditor's office or persons appointed by the auditor. If a deposit site is staffed by two or more persons appointed by the county auditor, the appointees shall be representatives of different major political parties whenever possible. Deposit site staff shall subscribe to an oath regarding the discharge of their duties. Staffed deposit sites open on election day must be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Staffed deposit sites may be open prior to the election according to dates and times established by the county auditor. Staffed deposit sites must have a secure ballot box that is constructed in a manner to allow return envelopes, once deposited, to only be removed by the county auditor or by the deposit site staff. If a ballot envelope is returned after 8:00 p.m. on election day, deposit site staff must note the time and place of deposit on the ballot envelope, and such ballots must be referred to the canvassing board.
(3) Ballot boxes must be ((locked and sealed)) secured at all times, with seal logs that document each time the box is opened and by whom. Ballots must be placed into ((sealed)) secured transport carriers and returned to the county auditor's office or another designated location. At exactly 8:00 p.m. on election day, all ballot boxes must be emptied or sealed to prevent the deposit of additional ballots.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 08-05-120, § 434-250-100, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08; 07-20-074, § 434-250-100, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; 06-23-094, § 434-250-100, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06; 06-14-047, § 434-250-100, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.530. 06-02-028, § 434-250-100, filed 12/28/05, effective 1/28/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 05-17-145, § 434-250-100, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]
WAC 434-250-310 Notice of elections by mail. (1) A jurisdiction requesting that a special election be conducted entirely by mail, as authorized by RCW 29A.48.020, may include the request in the resolution calling for the special election, or may make the request by a separate resolution. Not less than ((forty-seven)) forty days prior to the date for which a mail ballot special election has been requested, the county auditor shall inform the requesting jurisdiction, in writing, whether the request is granted and, if not granted, the reasons why.
(3) A county auditor conducting an election by mail, including a county auditor that conducts every election by mail, must state:
(a) The election will be conducted by mail;
(b) ((The precincts that are voting by mail if it is only specific precincts rather than the entire county;
(c))) The location where voters may obtain replacement ballots;
(((d))) (c) Whether return postage is required;
(((e))) (d) The dates, times and locations of designated deposit sites and voting centers; and
(((f))) (e) If the county auditor does not conduct all elections by mail, the fact that regular polling places will not be open.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 08-15-052, § 434-250-310, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; 07-20-074, § 434-250-310, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; 07-12-032, § 434-250-310, filed 5/30/07, effective 6/30/07; 05-17-145, § 434-250-310, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]
WAC 434-264-010 Recount(( -- Definition)). A recount is the process for retabulating the votes for a specific office or issue on all valid ballots, including write-ins, cast in a primary or election. If a ballot has been duplicated in accordance with WAC 434-261-005, the duplicate shall be counted.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 07-12-032, § 434-264-010, filed 5/30/07, effective 6/30/07.]
OTS-2825.1
WAC 434-324-036 County-to-county transfers. Pursuant to RCW 29A.08.420, a registered voter may transfer his or her registration to another county by submitting a new voter registration application. Prior to sending a verification notice, the county auditor shall use the voter registration data base to verify whether the registration is a transfer. The minimum information necessary to complete the transfer to the new county is name, residential address and a signature. The new county may request additional information to confirm that the registration application is a transfer.
WAC 434-324-106 Felony ((conviction -- Secretary's quarterly comparisons)) screening process. (1) ((Once a quarter)) The law on when the right to vote is restored following a felony conviction is established in RCW 29A.08.520. Three times a year, the secretary must ((perform comparisons with the department of corrections, as authorized in RCW 29A.08.520, to search for registration records of felons who are under the authority of the department of corrections due to an adult felony conviction)) compare the voter registration records to lists of felons who are either incarcerated or on community supervision with the department of corrections, and to lists of felons convicted in federal district courts with a sentence of at least fifteen months incarceration. The secretary must create a list of felon voters by matching the first name, last name, date of birth, and other identifying information.
(5) The felon's eligibility status may be resolved and the pending cancellation status reversed without scheduling a hearing if the felon provides satisfactory documentation that the felon's ((civil)) voting rights have been restored, the conviction is not a felony, the person convicted is not the registered voter, or the felon is otherwise eligible to vote. The auditor must notify the voter, retain a scanned copy of all documentation provided, and notify the secretary. The secretary must flag the voter registration record to prevent future cancellation on the same basis.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 09-18-098, § 434-324-106, filed 9/1/09, effective 10/2/09; 06-23-094, § 434-324-106, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06; 05-24-039, § 434-324-106, filed 11/30/05, effective 12/31/05.]
OTS-2826.1
WAC 434-335-030 Initial application for certification. Any person or corporation (applicant) owning or representing a voting system or a vote tabulating system, part of a system, equipment, materials or procedure may apply in writing to the secretary of state for certification ((December 1st and ending June 30th the following year. Certification examinations and hearings are only conducted between December 1st and September 15th of each year)).
(a) A description of the applicant, business address, ((customer references,)) and list of election products((.));
(b) A description of the equipment or software under review, the equipment or software version numbers((, release numbers,)) and operating and maintenance manuals((, training materials, and technical and operational specifications.
(c) Documentation of all other states that have tested, certified and used the equipment in a binding election, and the length of time used in that state. The information for each state must include the version numbers of the operating system, software, and firmware, the dates and jurisdictions, and any reports compiled by state or local governments concerning the performance of the system)).
(((d))) (b) A copy of a letter from the applicant to each voting system test laboratory which((:
(i) Directs the voting system test laboratory to send a copy of the completed voting system test laboratory qualification report to the secretary of state;
(ii))) authorizes the voting system test laboratory to discuss testing procedures and findings with the secretary of state((; and
(iii) Authorizes the voting system test laboratory to allow the secretary of state to review all records of any qualification testing conducted on the equipment.
(e) A technical data package conforming to the 2002 Voting Systems Standards (VSS), Vol. II, Sec. 2 standards that includes:
(i) Identification of all COTS hardware and software products and communications services used in the operation of the voting system (ref. VSS, 2.2.1.e);
(ii) A system functionality description (ref. VSS, 2.3);
(iii) A system security specification (ref. VSS, 2.6);
(iv) System operations procedures (ref. VSS, 2.8);
(v) System maintenance procedures (ref. VSS, 2.9);
(vi) Personnel deployment and training requirements (ref. VSS, 2.10);
(vii) Configuration management plan (ref. VSS, 2.11);
(viii) System change notes (if applicable, ref. VSS, 2.13);
(ix) A system change list, if any, of modifications currently in development;
(x) A system usability testing report; and
(xi) A set of procedures for county personnel on how the operating system, equipment, and application software should be optimally configured and used in a secure environment.
(2) The vendor must either file the system executables for the certified system with the National Software Reference Library (NSRL) or place the source code of an electronic voting system in escrow, which must be accessible by the secretary of state under prescribed conditions)).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 09-03-110, § 434-335-030, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09; 07-24-044, § 434-335-030, filed 11/30/07, effective 12/31/07; 07-20-074, § 434-335-030, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 2006 c 344. 07-09-035, § 434-335-030, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 05-18-022, § 434-335-030, filed 8/29/05, effective 9/29/05.]
The examination ((consists of a series of functional application tests designed to insure)) verifies that the system or equipment meets all applicable federal guidelines, and consists of a series of functional application tests designed to ensure that the system or equipment meets Washington state law and rules. The software tested shall be the approved software from the voting system test laboratory.
The examination may include an additional voting system test laboratory test at the discretion of the secretary of state. The examination shall include the set-up and conduct of ((two)) mock elections ((and)), including a machine recount. The ((voting system test laboratory shall provide to the secretary of state the voting system software they tested and, if requested, the hash codes of the software they tested.
(1) The first election must replicate an even year general election.
(2) The second election must replicate a primary, and include the use of split precincts and precinct committee officer contests.
Both)) elections must feature at least ten precincts, with at least ten ballots in each precinct, and must test split precincts, precinct committee officer contests, and both partisan and nonpartisan offices. The tests must include ballots of various ballot ((codes)) styles, ((including)) and include multiple candidates, ((cumulative reports, precinct reports, and canvass reports, as detailed in the test plan provided by the secretary of state)) write-in candidates and overvoted contests.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 09-03-110, § 434-335-060, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09; 07-24-044, § 434-335-060, filed 11/30/07, effective 12/31/07; 05-18-022, § 434-335-060, filed 8/29/05, effective 9/29/05.]
WAC 434-335-150 Modification of certified equipment. After a voting system is certified, any improvements or changes to the system must be submitted to the secretary of state for ((approval)) certification. The secretary of state will determine if the modifications require ((a recertification of the system or)) state testing and a review board hearing, or if the changes may be ((approved)) certified administratively.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 05-18-022, § 434-335-150, filed 8/29/05, effective 9/29/05.]
WAC 434-335-170 Application for ((administrative approval)) certification of modified voting systems or devices. The application ((for review of)) to certify a modification of an existing certified system must include, but is not limited to, the following information:
(1) Description of the applicant((.));
(2) Description of the equipment or software under review, the modification, and all version numbers ((and release numbers.));
(3) All changes to the operating and maintenance manuals((, training materials, and technical and operational specifications required by the modification.
(4) All certification documents from all other states that have certified the equipment with the modification.));
(((5))) (4) Reports for all tests conducted on the modification by a voting system test laboratory((. The voting system test laboratory must meet the criteria established by the election assistance commission for such agents.));
(((6))) (5) Documentation that the modification meets all applicable federal voting equipment guidelines((.));
(((7))) (6) A complete description, in operational and technical detail, of all differences between the previously certified equipment or system and the modified equipment or system, prepared by the applicant.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 09-03-110, § 434-335-170, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09; 05-18-022, § 434-335-170, filed 8/29/05, effective 9/29/05.]
(1) The model number, version number, release number, and any other number, name or description that identifies the product must be the same as the identifying numbers for the product already certified by the secretary of state.
(2) The county must receive all manuals and training necessary for the proper operation of the system.
(3) For new hardware or hardware upgrades, the county must test the functionality of the hardware to verify the hardware works as designed. The test must include operating the hardware and submitting it to a series of assessments that determine the hardware works, performs, and functions as intended.
Acceptance testing and installation of the equipment may occur only between December 1st and September 15th of each year.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 09-12-078, § 434-335-240, filed 5/29/09, effective 6/29/09; 05-18-022, § 434-335-240, filed 8/29/05, effective 9/29/05.]
WAC 434-335-510 Definitions. "Calibration" is the touch screen setting on ((a disability access)) an accessible voting unit with touch screen capability that controls the target area.
"Direct recording electronic device" is a device that electronically records a voter's ((responses electronically)) choices.
"Electronic ballot marker" is a device that physically marks a voter's ((responses)) choices on a preprinted paper ballot.
"Target area" is ((the)) each area on the ballot ((face that records the voter's choice)) where the voter's choices are recorded.
"Touch screen" is a type of computer interface on a voting device that allows the voter to ((select)) make a choice by touching the screen.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 08-05-120, § 434-335-510, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08; 05-18-022, § 434-335-510, filed 8/29/05, effective 9/29/05.]
WAC 434-335-520 Logic and accuracy ((test plan preparation -- Disability access)) testing of accessible voting units. (1) ((The test plan used for the official logic and accuracy test for disability access units must be prepared by the county in the same manner as for optical and digital scan ballots.)) The ((official testing)) logic and accuracy test of accessible voting units must be completed before ((a disability access unit)) they may be used for marking or casting ballots. Counties must complete the testing to have in-person ((disability access)) accessible voting available starting twenty days before the day of a primary or election.
(2) ((This test serves as the official logic and accuracy test of poll site-based optical scan ballot counters.)) A log must be created during the test, recording the time of each test, the precinct numbers, the seal number, the machine number, and the initials of each person testing the system. The log must be included in the official logic and accuracy test materials. This process is open to observation and subject to all notices and observers pursuant to WAC 434-335-290 and 434-335-320.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 08-05-120, § 434-335-520, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08; 06-14-048, § 434-335-520, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06; 05-18-022, § 434-335-520, filed 8/29/05, effective 9/29/05.]
WAC 434-335-550 Direct recording electronic target area tests. Each county employing a direct recording electronic ((balloting system)) voting device must conduct a test to confirm that the target area indicated on each ballot face is programmed correctly. The county must test all ballot styles on at least one device to ensure that the programming is correctly ((counting and accumulating)) marking every office, measure, and selection by the voter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. 08-05-120, § 434-335-550, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08; 05-18-022, § 434-335-550, filed 8/29/05, effective 9/29/05.]
OTS-2827.1
WAC 434-381-170 Statement and argument format. (1) Statements or arguments submitted for inclusion in the voters pamphlet shall not exceed the word limit set by statute.
(a) Arguments for or against measures may contain up to four headings used to highlight major points in the argument and will ((not)) count toward the maximum word count set for arguments;
(b) The ((initial)) four headings may not exceed fifteen words for each heading;
(c) ((Additional headings may be used after the initial four headings in an argument, which will count toward the maximum word count of the argument;
(d))) Photographs or charts may be used in candidate statements or arguments substituting fifty words from the statement or argument for each square inch used by the photograph or chart. This subsection does not apply to the photographs submitted pursuant to WAC 434-381-130 (size and quality of photographs).
(2) Statements and arguments submitted to the secretary of state shall be printed in a format that in the opinion of the secretary will provide the best reproduction.
(a) Statements and arguments will be typeset in a standard font without the use of boldface or underlining;
(b) Italics may be used to add emphasis to statements or arguments;
(c) Argument headings will be typeset ((entirely)) in boldface ((capital)) letters.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29.81.320. 02-02-067, § 434-381-170, filed 12/28/01, effective 1/28/02.]