Issue Position: Campaigns and elections--advancing the right to vote

Issue Position

We must remember that people in Washington have the Right To Vote not the privilege to vote. Access to voting is not something that has to be earned, it is a basic right granted to all who are eligible.

While Washington has a reputation as a progressive leader in election reform, there is more that need to be done.

I support these important steps we can take to improve access to voting:

* Election Day voter registration. I am the prime sponsor of this bill.
* Pre-registration of 16-17 year olds when they get their driver's licenses. This has passed the House three times but failed to receive a Senate vote.
* Enactment of the state Voting Rights Act to give people of color better access to their local governments. The bill passed the House four years in a row but has failed to receive a vote in the Senate.

Election bills I have sponsored that became law include

* Implementing on-line voter registration
* Making all elections vote by mail
* Strengthening public disclosure laws

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