A bill to amend the Washington Voting Rights Act has been scheduled for public hearing this week.

HB 1048, sponsored by Sharlett Mena (D–Tacoma), offers a number of amendments to the Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA), which seek to provide new routes for groups to bring suit against a jurisdiction, including cities, where they do not feel properly represented.

Among the proposed amendments, the bill seeks to:

• Define “cohesive” meaning that members of a group tend to prefer the same candidates or other electoral choices.
• Allow for a coalition of members of different protected classes to bring suit against a jurisdiction.
• Removes the section that states that members of a protected class are not geographically compact shall not preclude a finding of violation but may be a factor in determining a remedy.
• Courts are not required to consider explanations, including partisanship, for why polarized voting under this chapter exists.
• Requires courts to approve proposed district boundaries prior to their implementation.
• Allows for reimbursement of costs to the individual who filed suit.

AWC strongly supports voting rights; however, we have concerns about the potential liability impact on cities that could create significant legal costs. We will be working with legislators to try to minimize these impacts while supporting the overall goal of increasing access to voting and insuring representation.

Dates to remember

HB 1048 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations on January 13 at 8 am.