Our BILL OF THE DAY today is HB 1146 which would “reduce barriers” and improve voting access for individuals who are incarcerated in jails or state hospitals.
Key points:
- Each county auditor’s office, jail, and state hospital must designate a voting coordinator responsible for facilitating voting processes.
- Voting Plans: County auditors must develop detailed voting plans in collaboration with jails and state hospitals. These plans outline procedures for voter registration, ballot access, voter education, and privacy in voting.
- Security concerns: allowing election officials into jails or state hospitals could compromise the security of these facilities, potentially creating opportunities for disturbances or escapes.
- Election Integrity: WHO will be administering the voting plans? Will these be outsourced to usual leftist organizations Washington democrats like to employ on these projects?
- HB 1146 states that the attorney general may investigate and bring an action against a county, jail, or state hospital. The bill imposes fines for non-compliance which could create an environment of fear rather than collaboration and cooperation.
- The bill gives more authority and oversight to the Attorney General and ultimately the Governor.
There is no fiscal note for HB 1146 at this time but given the scope of the bill there would be a number of costs associated with this legislation. Considering the state is potentially facing a $16 billion deficit, this doesn’t seem to be a fiscally responsible policy.
Be sure to bookmark our Legislative Action Center where you can track this bill and explore other legislation.
*All of our Bill of the Day videos are available on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@conservativeladies
