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2009 Senate Bill 5359: Voter identifying marks on ballots
  1. Introduced by Sen. Eric Oemig, (D-Kirkland) (D) on January 20, 2009, provides that an election official may not issue any ballot with a unique identifying mark,. A ballot may be issued with a nonsequential, anonymously assigned unique identifying mark solely for auditing and vote reconciliation purposes, or to determine if a particular ballot has been previously counted, as long as it is not associated with an individual voter. Also provides that ballots with identifying marks shall not be rejected.
    • Referred to the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee on January 20, 2009.
      • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 10, 2009.
  2. Passed 44 to 0 in the Senate on March 7, 2009.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  3. Received in the House on March 10, 2009.
    • Referred to the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee on March 10, 2009.
      • Amendment offered in the House on March 24, 2009, to specify that identifying marks placed on the ballot prior to issuance of the ballot may not vary within an individual precinct and that unique identifying marks for purposes of auditing and reconciliation may not be placed on the ballot until the ballot has been returned by the voter. It also prohibits election officials from entering into a contract with a vendor that includes the use of identifying marks on the ballot if the contract allows the vendor to acquire an ownership interest in or knowledge of any data pertaining to a voter, the voter's address, registration number, history, or any ballot. The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on March 24, 2009.
    • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 26, 2009.
  4. Passed 97 to 0 in the House on March 30, 2009.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  5. Received to the Senate on April 18, 2009, Senate doesn't accept House amendments, asks House to reconsider. Passed by voice vote in the House on April 18, 2009.
  6. Received in the House on April 22, 2009, House removes original amendments offered and offers new floor amendment to prohibit an elections official from entering into or extending a contract with a vendor if the contract allows the vendor to acquire an ownership interest in data or information pertaining to a voter, or any ballot. An election official may not mark a ballot or direct that a ballot be marked in a way that would identify the voter. Passed 97 to 0 in the House on April 22, 2009.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  7. Received in the Senate on April 24, 2009, accepted House amendments. Passed 43 to 0 in the Senate on April 24, 2009.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  8. Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 8, 2009, provides that an election official may not issue any ballot with a unique identifying mark. A ballot may be issued with a nonsequential, anonymously assigned unique identifying mark solely for auditing and vote reconciliation purposes, or to determine if a particular ballot has been previously counted, as long as it is not associated with an individual voter. Also provides that ballots with identifying marks shall not be rejected.

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