WASHINGTON STATE
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE VI
ELECTIONS AND ELECTIVE
RIGHTS
SECTION 1 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. [AMENDMENT
63, 1974 Senate Joint Resolution No. 143, p 807. Approved November 5, 1974.]
Amendment 5 (1910) - Art. 6 Section 1 QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS -
All persons of the age of twenty-one
years or over, possessing the following qualifications, shall be entitled to
vote at all elections: They shall be citizens of the United States; they shall
have lived in the state one year, and in the county ninety days, and in the
city, town, ward or precinct thirty days immediately preceding the election at
which they offer to vote; they shall be able to read and speak the English
language: Provided, That
Indians not taxed shall never be allowed the elective franchise: And
further provided, That this amendment shall
not affect the rights of franchise of any person who is now a qualified elector
of this state. The legislative authority shall enact laws defining the manner of
ascertaining the qualifications of voters as to their ability to read and speak
the English language, and providing for punishment of persons voting or
registering in violation of the provision of this section. There shall be no
denial of the elective franchise at any election on account of sex.
[AMENDMENT 5, 1909 p 26 Section 1. Approved November, 1910.]
Amendment 2 (1896) - Art. 6 Section 1 QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS -
All male persons of the age of
twenty-one years or over, possessing the following qualifications, shall be
entitled to vote at all elections: They shall be citizens of the United States;
they shall have lived in the state one year, and in the county ninety days, and
in the city, town, ward or precinct thirty days immediately preceding the
election at which they offer to vote; they shall be able to read and speak the
English language: Provided, That Indians not taxed shall never be allowed the
elective franchise: And further provided, That this amendment shall not effect [affect] the
right of franchise of any person who is now a qualified elector of this state.
The legislature shall enact laws defining the manner of ascertaining the
qualifications of voters as to their ability to read and speak the English
language, and providing for punishment of persons voting or registering in
violation of the provisions of this section. [AMENDMENT 2, 1895 p 60
Section 1. Approved November, 1896.]
Original text - Art. 6 Section 1 QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS - All male persons of the age of twenty-one years or
over, possessing the following qualifications, shall be entitled to vote at all
elections: They shall be citizens of the United States; They shall have lived in
the state one year, and in the county ninety days, and in the city, town, ward
or precinct thirty days immediately preceding the election at which they offer
to vote; Provided, that Indians
not taxed shall never be allowed the elective franchise; Provided,
further; that all male persons who at the
time of the adoption of this Constitution are qualified electors of the
Territory, shall be electors.
SECTION 1A VOTER QUALIFICATIONS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. In
consideration of those citizens of the United States who become residents of the
state of Washington during the year of a presidential election with the
intention of making this state their permanent residence, this section is for
the purpose of authorizing such persons who can meet all qualifications for
voting as set forth in section 1 of this article, except for residence, to vote
for presidential electors or for the office of President and Vice-President of
the United States, as the case may be, but no other: Provided, That such persons have resided
in the state at least sixty days immediately preceding the presidential election
concerned.
The legislature shall establish the time, manner and place for such persons to
cast such presidential ballots. [AMENDMENT 46, 1965 ex.s. Substitute
House Joint Resolution No. 4, p 2820. Approved November 8, 1966.]
SECTION 2 SCHOOL ELECTIONS - FRANCHISE, HOW EXTENDED. [This section
stricken by AMENDMENT 5, see Art. 6 Section 1.]
Original text - Art. 6 Section 2 SCHOOL ELECTIONS - FRANCHISE, HOW EXTENDED -
The legislature may provide that there
shall be no denial of the elective franchise at any school election on account
of sex.
SECTION 3 WHO DISQUALIFIED. All persons convicted of infamous crime
unless restored to their civil rights and all persons while
they are judicially declared mentally incompetent are excluded from the elective
franchise. [AMENDMENT 83, 1988 House Joint Resolution No. 4231, p 1553.
Approved November 8, 1988.]
Original text - Art. 6 Section 3 WHO DISQUALIFIED - All idiots, insane persons, and persons convicted of
infamous crime unless restored to their civil rights are excluded from the
elective franchise.