Drafter
Clerk 12/06/2000
Title
A MOTION requesting the secretary of state to take steps to minimize the likelihood of registering voters such as noncitizens or convicted felons who have lost their civil rights.
Body
WHEREAS, Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act in 1993 requiring states to provide uniform registration outreach services through entities such as drivers license agencies, and
WHEREAS, states began implementing the law January 1, 1995, and
WHEREAS, in Washington state, the Department of Licensing offers voter registration services at the time of driver's license application or renewal, and
WHEREAS, drivers seeking to register to vote at the time of license application or renewal are not being asked in a clear way whether or not they are citizens or convicted felons who have lost their civil rights, and
WHEREAS registration of ineligible voters compromises the electoral process;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The state of Washington secretary of state is requested to review the administration of RCW 29.07.260 with the Department of Licensing and that the goal of this review is to reform the process so as to minimize the likelihood of registering ineligible voters such as noncitizens or convicted felons who have not had their civil rights restored.
B. The state of Washington secretary of state is requested to recommend methods with appropriate safeguards of removing such improperly registered voters from existing lists.
C. The clerk of the council is directed to send copies of this motion to the Secretary of State, the state licensing director, the Cospeakers of the Washington state house of representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Washington state senate, legislators representing King County, the state Congressional delegation, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate...

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