Washington Senate Passes Automatic Voter Registration

[RandySF]

uring a Saturday session, the Washington State Senate overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill E3SSB 6353 which provides for automatic voter registration in Washington State. The Senate Bill passed by a vote of thirty-four to thirteen, with two senators abstaining, and further removes barriers to voting access for millions of Washington residents.

Washington joins other Cascadian states such as Oregon in passing automatic voter registration, which was signed into law by Oregon Governor Kate Brown in 2015. Currently, nearly 20% of eligible voters in Washington State are not registered to vote.

The bill would register U.S. citizens to vote when they apply for or renew an enhanced driver’s license if they are 18 years old or older, unless they specifically opt out.

The bill was requested by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, and has a partner bill in the House – 2SHB 2595, which is still awaiting a vote. Senate democrats voted yes, while senate republicans were split – with nine in support: John Braun, Joe Fain, Phil Fortunato, Brad Hawkins, Mark Miloscia, Steve O’Ban, Tim Sheldon, Judy Warnick, and Hans Zeiger.


https://cascadiaunderground.com/washington-passes-automatic-voter-registration/

[Angry Dragon]

1. Sounds good to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[grantcart]

2. other Cascadian states such as Oregon

Are there more I am not aware of?

[Cha]

4. I guess so..

Cascadia is a unique coastal bioregion that defines the Pacific Northwest of the United States and Canada, as defined through the watersheds of the Fraser and Columbia watersheds. It incorporates all of or parts of southern Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Northern California.

https://www.cascadianow.org/

[Wounded Bear]

6. Not all of those areas are "blue"...

[joshdawg]

3. A sensible bill approved by sensible people.

Too bad Texas does not have sensible folks in state government.............abbott, paxton, patrick, etc.

[bluestarone]

5. i like the sounds of this!!

[Wounded Bear]

7. Note to those out of staters that don't understand...

Washington (and Oregon, BTW) has all mail in voting. That means that every eligible voter in the state receives a voter's pamphleet and a ballot in the mail several weeks before every election, down to local levies and municipal elections.

Our last election had a poor turnout, which disappointed a lot of people. It's hard to get people motivated, but we're working on it.