Voting more than once

AN ACT Relating to clarifying the prohibition on voting more than 1
once in an election; amending RCW 29A.84.650; creating a new section; 2
and declaring an emergency. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that it has been and 5
continues to be the law of this state that a person may not vote in 6
an election in Washington and an election in any other state if the 7
election date is the same for both states. The legislature intends to 8
affirm and clarify this law, and enacts section 2 of this act to 9
abrogate the decision of the Washington court of appeals in State v. 10
Padrta, No. 59737-3-II (January 6, 2026) and to immediately correct 11
its erroneous interpretation in order to prevent confusion during the 12
2026 primary and general elections. This amendment is intended to be 13
curative in nature.14
Sec. 2. RCW 29A.84.650 and 2005 c 243 s 24 are each amended to 15
read as follows: 16
(1)(a) Any person who intentionally votes or attempts to vote in 17
this state more than once ((at any )) in the same election, or who 18
intentionally votes or attempts to vote in both this state and 19
Z-0615.1
SENATE BILL 6084
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senators Cortes, Cleveland, Dhingra, Nobles, and Valdez; by
request of Secretary of State
Read first time 01/13/26. Referred to Committee on State Government,
Tribal Affairs & Elections.
p. 1 SB 6084
another state ((at any)) in the same election, is guilty of a class C 1
felony. 2
(b) For purposes of this section, the term "election" refers to 3
any general, primary, or special election. An election is the "same 4
election" if the election date is the same, regardless of the 5
candidates, offices, issues, or measures on the ballot and regardless 6
of the date on which ballots are mailed or returned.7
(c) When a special election is held in conjunction with a general 8
election or primary election, it is not the "same election" for 9
purposes of this section, and otherwise qualified voters may vote in 10
both the special election and the general or primary election held on 11
the same day.12
(2) Any person who recklessly or negligently violates this 13
section commits a class 1 civil infraction as provided in RCW 14
7.80.120. 15
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate 16
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of 17
the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes 18
effect immediately.19
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p. 2 SB 6084