Section 434-250-100. Ballot deposit sites.

(1) If a location only receives ballots and does not issue any ballots, it is considered a ballot deposit site. Ballot deposit sites may be staffed or unstaffed.

(a) If a ballot deposit site is staffed, it must be staffed by at least two people. Deposit site staff may be employees of the county auditor's office or persons appointed by the auditor. If a deposit site is staffed by two or more persons appointed by the county auditor, the appointees shall be representatives of different major political parties whenever possible. Deposit site staff shall subscribe to an oath regarding the discharge of their duties. Staffed deposit sites open on election day must be open until 8:00 p.m. Staffed deposit sites may be open according to dates and times established by the county auditor. Staffed deposit sites must have a secure ballot box that is constructed in a manner to allow return envelopes, once deposited, to only be removed by the county auditor or by the deposit site staff.

(b) Unstaffed ballot deposit sites consist of secured ballot boxes that allow return envelopes, once deposited, to only be removed by authorized staff. Ballot boxes located outdoors must be constructed of durable material able to withstand inclement weather, and be sufficiently secured to the ground or another structure to prevent their removal. From eighteen days prior to election day until 8:00 p.m. on election day, two people who are either employees of or appointed by the county auditor must empty each ballot box with sufficient frequency to prevent damage and unauthorized access to the ballots.

(2) Ballot boxes must be secured at all times, with seal logs that document each time the box is opened and by whom. Ballots must either be transported to the county auditor's office or another designated location by at least two authorized people, or placed into a secured transport carrier for transport to the county auditor's office or other designated location. At exactly 8:00 p.m. on election day, all ballot boxes must be emptied or secured to prevent the deposit of additional ballots; however, any voter who is in line at 8:00 p.m. must be allowed to vote and deposit his or her ballot. If a ballot is returned after the ballot box is emptied or secured at 8:00 p.m. on election day, the ballot must be referred to the canvassing board.

(3) Within twenty-five feet of a ballot deposit site that is not located within a voting center, no person may electioneer, circulate campaign material, solicit petition signatures, or interfere with or impede the voting process. Whenever it is necessary to maintain order around a ballot deposit site, the county auditor may contact a law enforcement agency for assistance.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-100, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14; WSR 12-14-074, § 434-250-100, filed 7/2/12, effective 8/2/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-100, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041. WSR 10-14-091, § 434-250-100, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-250-100, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10; WSR 08-05-120, § 434-250-100, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08; WSR 07-20-074, § 434-250-100, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; WSR 06-23-094, § 434-250-100, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06; WSR 06-14-047, § 434-250-100, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.530. WSR 06-02-028, § 434-250-100, filed 12/28/05, effective 1/28/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-100, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.]

RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-250-100, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14; WSR 12-14-074, § 434-250-100, filed 7/2/12, effective 8/2/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-250-100, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041. WSR 10-14-091, § 434-250-100, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-250-100, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10; WSR 08-05-120, § 434-250-100, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08; WSR 07-20-074, § 434-250-100, filed 10/1/07, effective 11/1/07; WSR 06-23-094, § 434-250-100, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06; WSR 06-14-047, § 434-250-100, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.530. WSR 06-02-028, § 434-250-100, filed 12/28/05, effective 1/28/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-250-100, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05.