Study on feasibility of electronic ballot portal. (Contingent expiration date.)

(1) The secretary of state may, within existing resources, study the feasibility of employing an electronic ballot portal that enables covered voters to return a voted ballot. (2) Any electronic ballot portal design being studied must: (a) Be secure against electronic monitoring and incursion or interference; (b) Provide the maximum level of voter secrecy and privacy available; (c) Ensure that only a single vote is cast by any voter authorized to use the electronic ballot portal to return a voted ballot; (d) Have the capability to produce an auditable paper record at the receiving end; and(e) Authorize only covered voters to return a voted ballot. (3) In studying electronic ballot portal designs, the secretary of state may rely on the results of independent design, engineering, and performance evaluations as well as contract or consult with experts such as county auditors, representatives with expertise in electronic voting methods, and cybersecurity experts. (4) Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the use of an electronic ballot portal to return a voted ballot in this state. (5) If the secretary of state conducts a feasibility study in accordance with this section, the secretary of state shall, within 180 days of completing the study and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, provide the appropriate committees of the legislature with a report of the results of its feasibility study and any recommendations on whether the state should employ an electronic ballot portal for use in elections in this state. (6) For purposes of this section, "covered voter" means: (a) Service voters as defined in RCW 29A.04.163; (b) Overseas voters as defined in RCW 29A.04.109; (c) Disabled voters as defined in RCW 29A.04.037; and(d) Any elector who is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and resides on an Indian reservation. (7) This section expires 30 days after the secretary of state submits its report to the legislature described in subsection (5) of this section. The secretary of state must provide written notice of the expiration date of this section to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the secretary of state.