A new statewide poll out today from independent pollster Stuart Elway shows broad support for four election-reform bills being advanced by Secretary of State Sam Reed. 

Included in this new wave of reform measures are ones dealing with later deadlines for voter registration; allowing Internet voting by military and overseas Washingtonians; requiring mail-in ballots to be received by the elections offices on Election Day,  not just postmarked; and cleaning up the Top 2 Primary law, including clarifying party-preference labels.

Reed says he’s “gratified and delighted” at the strong numbers from across Washington state and hopes they’ll give a lift to legislation now moving through the state House and Senate…

Elway says most voters told him they want tough requirements for voters, but added that:

“On the other hand, large majorities favored each of four election reforms being pushed in the current legislative session by Secretary of State Sam Reed. … In all, 97 percent of survey respondents supported at least one of these proposals and 59 percent supported at least 3 of 4.”

His survey, taken among 405 registered voters between Jan. 22-25, carries a margin of error of plus or minus five percentage points.

The Elway Poll said 77 percent favor or strongly favor a measure to permit Internet voting by military and overseas voters, including Peace Corps members, missionaries and business people temporarily assigned abroad. The measure was opposed by 18 percent.

The Top 2 Primary changes, including a way to limit party-preference choices candidates may designate, were backed by 72 percent and opposed by 20 percent.

A plan to allow voter registration closer to Election Day, moving the in-person registration deadline to within eight days of Election, rather than 15 days out, was supported by 62 percent and opposed by 33 percent.

A measure to require mail-in ballots to be sent in by Election Day, and not merely postmarked that day, was backed by a supermajority of 60 percent and opposed by 36 percent.