OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — House lawmakers have approved a bill that would make mail-in ballots the new state standard, over the strong objections of representatives from the one county that still uses poll voting.
The House voted 52-43 Friday to require Pierce County to join the state’s 38 other counties that already conduct elections entirely by mail. The Senate narrowly approved the measure March 4.
The secretary of state’s office had requested the bill, saying it would create uniformity within the election system. Supporters say mail-in ballots lead to higher voter turnout and are cheaper to process.
But critics say Pierce County residents should not have this decision forced upon them by the state.
