GOP Candidate for SoS, Dale Whitaker, at hearing Tue., June 25, to defend 30-day residency requirement for voter eligibility, per the state constitution

Educate. Advocate. Mitigate. Activate!

Jun 24, 2024

This is a follow-up to my article: More Blatant Democrat Collusion: Marc Elias, a Leftist Org., SoS Hobbs, King & Thurston CO Auditors and a Leftist Judge - Gee… What Could Go Wrong?

All voters interested in Election Integrity should be aware of an important public hearing on Tuesday, June 25, at 10 a.m., at the Washington Secretary of State Library, 6880 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater, WA.

It is great to see our Republican candidate for Secretary of State (SoS), Dale Whitaker, leading the charge, as Whitaker has issued the following Press Release:

Whitaker is vocal about his opposition to the recent legal case, Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans v. Hobbs et al., where SoS Hobbs and his co-litigants quickly agreed to a Consent Decree.

The agreement removed the minimum residency requirement from voter registration forms and guidance for all elections, including the 2024 general election. "This consent decree is a backroom deal that bypasses the state constitution, legislature, and the citizens of Washington," Whitaker stated. “This is a power-grab by activists using the courts and willing supplicants to make wholesale changes to state election practices, hoping it flies under the radar of public and legal scrutiny. The 30-day residency requirement is a constitutional mandate that cannot be disregarded, and the recent court action does just that.”

Whitaker warns that eliminating the residency requirement could lead to voter confusion and unintentional legal violations. "If this requirement is removed, residents might unknowingly register and vote without meeting the constitutional mandate, breaking the law. Clear and enforceable voting laws are essential for fair and secure elections. A reasonable registration deadline and post-registration residency requirement are essential for maintaining fair and secure elections. They ensure that state and county election officials have a reasonable period of time to investigate registrations, which is what Article 6, Section 1 of the State Constitution accomplishes. Transparency, clarity, and some oversight in our voter registration process are key to fostering trust in our electoral system.”

At the hearing, Whitaker and others will advocate for upholding the state constitution and ensuring transparency in Washington's electoral process.

SUMMARY:

The Leftist-crafted complaint targets the homeless, illegals, newcomers, etc., who may arrive in WA State within 30 days of an election, and has a distinct veneer of choreographed collusion.

Their supporting argument is weak and overtly selective: The time duration restriction on residency should “match” the time duration restriction on registration. No restriction on registration = no restriction on residency. Hmm…

Team Elias points to same-day in-person registration (RCW29A.08.140(1)(b)) and ignores the 8-day time duration restriction for all other registration formats (RCW29A.08.140(1)(a)).

The “agreement” of the parties is that WA’s laws violate federal law applicable to voting for the offices of President and Vice President. Still, the settlement is to change the application of WA’s laws for ALL elections - federal, state, and local.

The legal basis of this action is what they’ve defined as the “Durational Residency Requirement.” But they repeatedly use the term “Durational Registration Requirement” - Very easy to Understand and Look Right Through, an obvious Smoke & Mirror Lawfare game played by the Dems. Yeah…

This is a fraudulent act by Team Elias, and the predestined ruling allows them to commit more fraudulent acts. How convenient…

It's quite amazing how these misguided Democrats, who do not care about state law or the state constitution, keep getting away with changing the rules in the middle of the game in attempts to influence the upcoming 2024 election and future elections…

Dem SoS Hobbs chose to enter into this sinister agreement to collude with a political activist group and conspire with other Leftists to violate state law RCW 29A.08.230, and the state constitution.

ARTICLE VI, SECTION 1 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION - ELECTIONS AND ELECTIVE RIGHTS - QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS:

All persons of the age of eighteen years or over who are citizens of the United States and who have lived in the state, county, and precinct thirty days immediately preceding the election at which they offer to vote, except those disqualified by Article VI, section 3 of this Constitution, shall be entitled to vote at all elections.

REQUIRES THE 30-DAY RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT TO BE FOLLOWED!

Yes, more Democrat-contrived lawfare: Courts are being used to destroy the integrity of voting systems across the country; a Leftist is (s)elected, invites a suit, “settles it,” and claims to have changed the law.

Funny how the Democrat Operatives involved in this agreement get to create and allow more cheating in our elections, encouraging more illegitimate voters and fostering more illegitimate Democrat beneficiaries and bureaucrats.

Hobbs has eliminated another safeguard, made voting more insecure, and undermined the state’s ability to maintain the integrity of your vote.

It is also no surprise that Hobbs continues violating the WA State Constitution and fails to uphold his Oath of Office, using taxpayer funds to surveil and censor truth seekers…

All of this is a massive threat to our Democracy and the Republic as voters continue to be disenfranchised by the WA SoS. No wonder voters have no confidence in our elections or election results!

If you can, please attend Tuesday’s public hearing at 10 a.m. at the SoS Library, 6880 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater, and make your voice heard on this issue and others:

Notice of WAC Filing: Proposed Rulemaking (CR-102) – Assorted Rule Updates – Automatic Voter Registration, Voter Registration Form, Primary-only Voter Timeline

OTS-5434.1 - WAC 434-232-040: Information about primary-only voters, when disclosable.
OTS-5435.1 - WAC 434-250-120: Verification of the signature and return date.
OTS-5442.1 - WAC 434-324-005: Definitions.
OTS-5443.1 - WAC 434-324-104: Automatic voter registration acknowledgment notice packages.
OTS-5448.1 - WAC 434-324-026: Voter registration form.

Written comments due: 5:00 PM, June 24, 2024, Email: CTsupport@sos.wa.gov

Request for reasonable accommodation deadline: 5:00 PM, June 24, 2024

Public hearing date: 10:00 AM, June 25, 2024. Hearing information is available on the Elections Rulemaking webpage. Intended adoption date: June 26, 2024

See all WA State Register (WSR) filings submitted by the SoS by visiting the Office of the Code Reviser’s website; election-specific filing information can be found on the OSOS Elections Rulemaking page.

ALSO, REMEMBER TO VOTE OUT THE DEMS in the August 6, 2024, Primary Election and the November 5, 2024, General Election. Civilization depends on it!

Bill Bruch

Bill Bruch is the WA State GOP Election Integrity Chairman, WAGOP Executive Board Member, 4-Term Skagit County GOP Chairman, Citizen Journalist, Blogger, Business Owner, “2021 Citizen Activist of the Year” award by the Olympic Conference, 2020 WA State House Representative Candidate, Former Council Member, and WA State 2016/24 RNC National Convention Delegate.

AUDIO PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE

All Things Politics

Discussion about this post