OLYMPIA, WA – Governor Bob Ferguson has signed a bill into law prohibiting double voting in Washington state by clarifying existing statute.

Senate Bill 6084 addresses what officials described as an ambiguity in state law regarding the definition of an election.

“Voting more than once in an election is an affront to everyone who participates in our democracy,” Ferguson said. “This bill makes it clear that double voting is illegal. Those who try it will be held accountable.”

The measure was requested by the Washington Secretary of State and sponsored by Adrian Cortes.

The legislation follows a 2022 case involving a Lewis County man who voted once in Washington and once in Oregon during the same election. He was charged and convicted of a felony, but the conviction was later overturned because the law did not clearly define what constituted an election.

Under the new law, voting more than once in an election is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The bill passed the Senate on a 47-1 vote and the House unanimously, 93-0. It takes effect immediately.