Washington Voting Rights Act Compliance Requirements
Summary
The Washington State Legislature passed HB 1710 to strengthen compliance with the Washington Voting Rights Act of 2018. The bill expands requirements for local governments and special purpose districts regarding at-large election systems and districting practices. Chapter 211, Laws of 2026 (C 211 L 26) becomes effective, imposing new obligations on political subdivisions to ensure fair voting access for protected classes.
What changed
HB 1710 (C 211 L 26) amends Washington state election law to enhance compliance with the 2018 Washington Voting Rights Act. The bill modifies requirements for local governments using at-large election systems, requiring analysis of potential vote dilution impacts on protected classes. Key provisions address district boundary adjustments, majority-vote requirements, and recall election procedures for jurisdictions with populations exceeding 10,000. The legislation applies to all counties, cities, school districts, and special purpose districts.
Compliance officers for affected governmental entities should immediately review their current election systems and districting maps for consistency with the amended requirements. Jurisdictions with at-large election systems must conduct updated voting rights analyses and implement any required changes before the next election cycle. Failure to comply may result in legal challenges under the Washington Voting Rights Act, including court-ordered remedies and attorney's fees.
What to do next
- Review current at-large election systems for compliance with amended Washington Voting Rights Act provisions
- Conduct updated voting rights analysis if jurisdiction has populations exceeding 10,000
- Update districting maps and election procedures before compliance deadline
Penalties
Non-compliant jurisdictions may face legal challenges including court-ordered remedies and attorney's fees under the Washington Voting Rights Act
Source document (simplified)
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HB 1710 - 2025-26
Concerning compliance with the Washington voting rights act of 2018. Sponsors: Mena, Salahuddin, Gregerson, Berg, Reeves, Cortes, Stonier, Timmons, Thomas, Reed, Hill, Berry, Simmons, Parshley, Farivar, Zahn, Fosse, Peterson, Goodman, Street, Doglio, Scott, Pollet, Nance, Ormsby, Ryu, Macri, Ramel, Obras
Bill status-at-a-glance
As of Wednesday, April 1, 2026 06:56 AM
Current version:
Engrossed 3rd substitute - E3SHB 1710 (View 1st engrossed)
Current status:
C 211 L 26
Where is it in the process?
Bill status-at-a-glance
As of Wednesday, April 1, 2026 06:56 AM
Current version:
Engrossed 3rd substitute - E3SHB 1710 (View 1st engrossed)
Current status:
C 211 L 26
Where is it in the process?
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Bill history
View all roll calls on this bill
2025 Regular Session
In the House
Jan 29 First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations. (View original bill) Feb 5 Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM. (Committee materials) Feb 11 Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM. (Committee materials) SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (View 1st substitute) (Majority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Feb 14 Referred to Appropriations. Feb 22 Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM. (Committee materials) Feb 26 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM. (Committee materials) APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (View 2nd substitute) (Majority report) Minority; without recommendation. (Minority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Feb 28 Referred to Rules 2 Review. Mar 6 Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. Mar 19 Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
2026 Regular Session
In the House
Jan 12 By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Referred to Appropriations. Jan 22 Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM. (Committee materials) Feb 2 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM. (Committee materials) APP - Majority; 3rd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (View 3rd substitute) (Majority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Feb 4 Referred to Rules 2 Review. Feb 11 Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. Feb 12 3rd substitute bill substituted (APP 26). (View 3rd substitute) Floor amendment(s) adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 57; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 2. (View 1st engrossed) (View this roll call)
In the Senate
Feb 16 First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections. Feb 20 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) Feb 24 Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM. (Committee materials) SGTE - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (Majority report) And refer to Ways & Means. Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Feb 25 Referred to Ways & Means. Feb 27 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 2:30 PM. (Committee materials) Mar 2 Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections. (Majority report) Minority; do not pass. (Minority report) Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. Mar 3 Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. Mar 4 Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View this roll call)
In the House
Mar 11 House concurred in Senate amendments. Passed final passage; yeas, 57; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 2. (View this roll call) Mar 12 Speaker signed.
In the Senate
Mar 12 President signed.
Other than legislative action
Mar 12 Delivered to Governor. (View bill as passed legislature) Mar 25 Governor signed. Chapter 211, 2026 Laws. (View session law) Effective date 6/11/2026.
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