Bill > SB6002

This bill, known as the Washington Voting Rights Act of 2018, aims to promote equal voting opportunity in certain political subdivisions by establishing a cause of action to address a lack of voter opportunity. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Authorizing political subdivisions to voluntarily change their electoral systems, including implementing district-based election systems, to remedy potential violations of the Act that could result in the dilution or abridgment of the rights of voters who are members of a protected class (a class of voters who are members of a race, color, or language minority group). 2. Establishing a process for voters to challenge a political subdivision's electoral system, requiring the subdivision to work in good faith to implement a remedy that provides the protected class an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. 3. Allowing a court to order appropriate remedies, including the imposition of a district-based election system, if a violation of the Act is found. 4. Providing a "safe harbor" period of four years during which no further action can be brought against a political subdivision that has adopted a court-approved remedy. 5. Allowing for the recovery of reasonable attorneys' fees, costs, and expert witness fees by prevailing plaintiffs. The bill aims to address issues of polarized voting and unequal voter opportunity faced by certain protected classes within political subdivisions in Washington.

Government Affairs

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6002&year=2017