Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed legislation moving the state’s primary election two weeks earlier, starting in August of 2012, and making it easier for our military and overseas voters to cast ballots electronically.

Secretary of State Sam Reed, who championed the legislation, hailed the governor’s action and the Legislature’s strong support of efforts to bring the state fully into compliance with federal law requiring that ballots be sent to military and overseas voters 45 days before the election.

The state’s relatively late primary makes that difficult to achieve, although the state did provide more than 45 days, when you count the post-election days that soldiers and others have to return their marked ballots.

State elections co-directors Katie Blinn and Shane Hamlin noted that the primary date change is a key feature of Senate Bill 5171, sponsored by Sen. Steve Hobbs and others.  It also allows service members and Washington voters abroad to return their voted ballots by fax or email, as many states do. Currently, ballots can be sent electronically to the voter, but the final voted ballot must be returned by “snail mail” before the vote will be counted.  That feature also is part of House Bill 1000, sponsored by Rep. Christopher Hurst and others.  The governor signed both measures Monday.

A number of military and veterans officials, legislators and election officials were present at bill-signing ceremonies and cheered the new legislati0n.  Said Gregoire:

“Our men and women in uniform need this and very much appreciate it.”

The other key feature of Secretary Reed’s legislation, also aimed at serving military and overseas voters, is moving the state’s Top 2 Primary two weeks earlier in August.  That will help the state’s 39 counties meet new federal mandates that all military and overseas ballots go out at least 45 days before Election Day.  Currently the state’s relatively late primary makes it difficult for some counties to get the ballots in the mail on time. (After each primary, it takes three weeks to have results certified, followed by state certification, possible recounts or court proceedings,  and preparation of a wide array of ballots.)

Last year, the state got special federal permission to keep its 30-day advance mailout deadline, since Washington accepts military and overseas ballots for three weeks after the Election Day. That gives the state over 50 days total transit time.  However, the feds advised Washington that the 45-day pre-election deadline is important and that the state shouldn’t try to get by with annual requests for waivers.

The measure also moves filing week earlier and revises candidate filing provisions in the event of a vacancy.  The earlier primary will begin next year.  The Top 2 Primary is not to be confused with the state’s presidential primary. The governor last week signed legislation suspending the 2012 presidential primary, saving over $10 million in tax dollars.

Regarding the military-related legislation, Reed said:

“We appreciate the virtually unanimous support in the Legislature for changes that will bring us into full compliance with federal law, which we have long supported.  Senator Hobbs, Rep. Chris Hurst and other key legislators were extremely helpful in moving this legislation forward  and we thank them. We also appreciate the tireless help of our County Auditors, who have always made military voters a priority and who do exemplary work in administering our elections.

“We have a long and proud history in this state of providing strong voter services to our military and to the many people whose jobs take them abroad or serve so well in mission and relief work.”

Washington has roughly 50,000 military and overseas voters, and the fifth highest military population in America.  We have five military installations.