(1) The secretary of state must develop statewide election data and reporting standards for how election-related data is maintained and reported by each county auditor. The secretary may make reasonable rules as necessary to develop statewide standards.
(2) The statewide standards should focus on the goals of improving:
(a) The types of data files and procedures used to collect and maintain election information;
(b) The public's access to election data collected, reported, and made available by each county auditor including, but not limited to:
(i) Records of voters who were issued a ballot and voters who voted in an election, pursuant to RCW 29A.40.130;
(ii) Tabulation results made available pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160; and
(iii) Information collected and reported in the county election reconciliation report, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.235; and
(c) The efficient compilation of data from all counties for research and analysis of election practices and trends at a statewide level.
(3) The secretary of state may convene a work group, including county auditors and other interested stakeholders to evaluate how county election data is collected and maintained and to develop and recommend ways for improving election data reporting.
(4) The statewide standards must be made public with ongoing analysis on whether counties are in compliance with current standards.
[ 2016 c 134 § 1.]