| Making Democracy Work® The LWVWA Democracy Team follows bills related to our representative government, elections, civic education, campaign finance, public accountability and records, and the initiative process. These bills can have sweeping effects on how our government works and even small changes can affect how many other issues get addressed or not. Issue Team Chair: Democracy Team Coordinator Alison McCaffree |
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Overview of the 2026 Legislative Session
The LWVWA Democracy Team worked hard this session to neutralize threats to democracy, empower our vote and safeguard our elections, but has the Washington Legislature done enough? This session, the Democracy Team helped pass eight key bills that protect our democracy, but others we supported have failed to get the attention they deserved. The Team follows bills related to our representative government, elections, civic education, campaign finance, public accountability and records, and the initiative process. This session, the team tracked 68 through the legislative process, putting a priority on 13 of them in the Legislative newsletter. Thank you to those who were involved with the Democracy Team during this legislative session: Alison McCaffree (issue Chair), Judy Hucka, Carol Landa-McVicker, Kit Muehlman, MAK Michell, Charles McCaffree, Katie Baird, Aruna Bhuta. We look forward to continuing our efforts. Four of our priority bills are a direct response to the threat to voting rights at the federal level. HB 1710, HB 1750, HB 1916, SB 5892 all add protections for Washington voters against bad actors. They each strengthen a certain stage of the process: registering to vote, keeping your personal information private, reviewing changes to election law, and suing because of discrimination. ● HB 1710 added preclearance procedures to protect against discrimination in elections ● HB 1750 strengthened the Washington Voting Rights Act by adding guidelines for voter suppression and vote dilution claims ● HB 1916 made it harder to create mass voter registration challenges ● SB 5892 protects voter databases from distribution to unauthorized parties. Other bills that passed assisted the policies of increasing voting access and civic health. ● SB 6035 adds access to the ballot to tribal communities and will study an electronic ballot portal. The League was part of the effort to advocate for more study of an electronic ballot portal before it is implemented to safeguard against interference. ● SCR 8409 extends the Project on Civic Health effort by the Lieutenant Governor and adds several more people to the legislative committee ● HB 2475 adjusts language accessible requirements for public programs, activities, and services conducted, operated, or administered by state agencies. ● SB 6084 clarifies the prohibition on voting more than once in an election. Several bills that we prioritized did not get through the process. This year the League was active in supporting the following bills. ● HB 2210 would have allowed Rank Choice Voting in local elections. The Washington Voting Justice coalition (LWVWA is a member) was a strong voice in favor of this bill. The League participated in the WVJC Democracy Lobby Day and testified several times in favor of allowing alternative election methods that would create better representation. ● HB 2499 would have modified conservation district elections making them more transparent and accessible to more people. ● HB 1116 would have recognized election day as a legislative priority and given strength to civic education on that day. ● SB 6130 would have recognized national voter registration day. This would be good for raising awareness about the importance of participating in our government by voting. The Democracy Team and The Redistricting Commission Reform Task Force watched the last bill closely and testified during the hearings: ● HJR 4209) the League watched carefully. It was a mid-decade congressional redistricting resolution. Alison McCaffree and Karen Crowley testified in the House on Weds, January 21 and remained neutral on the bill while pointing out the need for comprehensive reform of the Washington State Redistricting Commission. The Seattle Times published an Op-ed on this topic by Karen Crowley, LWVWA President and Barbara Tengtio, LWV Seattle King County. Please contact Alison McCaffree at amccaffree@lwvwa.org if you would like to be involved in our advocacy process.
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2026 Democracy Legislation
Bills in green are supported. Bills in red are opposed by the League. Bills in black the League is watching.
Bills We Supported that Passed.
We have shortened the bill descriptions in this update. If you need more information, read the past updates above.
HB 1710 Pre-Clearance for Proposed Changes to Election Procedures.
Civil rights activists fought for our federal and state Voting Rights Acts, which ensure that voters of every race and background have an equal voice in our democracy. In 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder removed “preclearance.” 13 years after this decision, the voter turnout gap between white and voters of color has increased and continues to increase. Supporting the League’s belief in fair elections, HB 1710 would strengthen The Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA) and use preclearance at the state level to prevent racial discrimination in election procedures.
HB 1916 Amending voter registration challenges and managing voter registration lists.
Mass voter registration challenges threaten to disrupt election administration and create the possibility of eligible voters not being able to vote. This bill would protect voters by restricting who can bring a registration challenge and by requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Individuals who make false statements or frivolously challenge a voter may be subject to criminal penalties. We can continue the legacy of protecting our voters from anti-voter tactics by supporting HB 1916.
2SSB 6035 Increasing access to voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters. Allows an study of electronic ballot portal.
Directs county auditors to meet with tribal representatives regularly about setting up voting centers and ballot drop boxes on reservations. Directs the secretary of state to study “an electronic ballot portal” to be available to service voters, overseas voters, disabled voters and members of Indian tribes. It includes additional requirements in developing the electronic portal. LWVWA has changed our position to ‘support’ from opposed and will work with the Secretary of State on the study of electronic voting.
SCR 8406 Reestablishing the joint select committee on civic health.
In 2023 the Project for Civic Health was formed on the shared premise of concern for the civic health of democracy. The League has a long history of supporting civility in civics and civics education and supports this resolution.
HB 1750 Creating guidelines for voter suppression and vote dilution claims under the Washington voting rights act.
Voting is our most important civic duty. The Washington State Voting Rights Act protect us during a time when voting rights are being threatened at the federal level. HB 1750 makes the WVRA stronger by providing clear standards for courts to decide vote suppression cases.
SB 5892 Protects voter databases from distribution to unauthorized parties.
The League of Women Voters supports legislation that enhances voter rights and election security. This bill strengthens the protection of confidential voter databases. This bill prohibits the distribution of this information without permission from the Secretary of State. With the current request and lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice, this bill is needed to strongly discourage anyone from releasing private information.
Bills We Supported that Did NOT Pass
HB 2210 Allowing local governments to adopt alternative elections systems.
HB 2210 recognizes that local governments need clear and flexible authority to adopt alternative election systems like ranked-choice voting (RCV) and proportional representation. By setting statewide standards, we make sure RCV lives up to its potential. Communities of color and language-minority voters continue to face barriers to electing candidates of choice.
HB 2499 Modernizing conservation district election procedures.
This bill modernizes conservation district election procedures and requires financial disclosures from district supervisors for district supervisor. The League supports policies that democratize these sometimes hidden elections and support rules that require transparency of elected officials.
SB 6130 Celebrating National Voter Registration Day.
The League of Women Voters is the largest on-the-ground partner for National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) , celebrated on the third Tuesday in September. Since the holiday’s inception in 2012, the League has used this day to mobilize thousands of volunteers to register hundreds of thousands of voters nationwide. In this bill, the legislature recognizes the importance of fostering lifelong civic engagement and aligns Washington state with the national voter registration day celebrations and activities around the country.
SB 5973 Protecting the integrity of the state initiative and referendum process.
These bills do two things. One, they require that before a ballot title may be issued, supporters must gather at least 1,000 verified signatures for initiatives but not referendums.
HB 1116 Recognizing election day as a legislative holiday.
This bill makes Election Day recognized as a legislative holiday. Empowering voters and encouraging citizens to participate in their government and democracy are key missions of the LWV. This bill is also in line with the League’s goal to encourage more civic education.
HB 2281 Consulting tribal governments when cultural places may be affected.
This bill requires a consultation process between a state agency and an Indian tribe when tribal traditional cultural places may be affected by an agency action. It also provides an Indian tribe with a cause of action against any state agency that imposes an undue burden or interferes with the tribe's exercise.
Bills We were Watching that Did NOT Pass
HJR 4209 Congressional redistricting between decennial censuses.
This resolution calls for a Washington constitutional amendment to allow mid-decade redistricting for congressional districts. It is no longer being considered by the legislature. The League is opposed to redistricting for partisan gain and emphasizes that redistricting should be done to support communities and enhance the voices of all people. Alison McCaffree and Karen Crowley testified in the House on Weds, January 21and remained neutral on the bill while pointing out the need for comprehensive reform of the Washington State Redistricting Commission. The Seattle Times published an Op-ed on this topic by Karen Crowley, LWVWA President and Barbara Tengtio, LWV Seattle King County.
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During the legislative session we will send Action Alerts in the Legislative Action Newsletter. Please respond to these, which will direct you to an application to facilitate communicating with your legislators on an important vote in committees or on the chamber floor.
Local Leagues in Washington have action chairs who coordinate action teams. Some local Leagues have education teams to take action locally. Contact your local League action chair to find out and join.
You may also express your opinion on legislation with the LWVWA issue chairs. We will take your perspectives under consideration as we determine our support for legislation and prepare testimony.
For questions please contact: Democracy Issue Chair Alison McCaffree by email or at 253-720-6813.