Page 29

to the office on June 30, 2022. The preliminary report analyzed the 1 2022 state auditor's performance audit titled "evaluating 2 Washington's ballot rejection rates." The study must be reported to 3 the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by 4 November 1, 2023. 5 (21) $125,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal 6 year 2024 and $125,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for 7 fiscal year 2025 are provided solely for the office to continue 8 developing a statewide digital assessment tool and protocol for the 9 tool's usage. The office must use the tool and protocol it developed 10 to reach additional underserved audiences and make improvements to 11 the tool and protocol. The office must develop and publish 12 recommendations to improve implementation of the tool by June 30, 13 2025. 14 (22) $198,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal 15 year 2024 and $154,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for 16 fiscal year 2025 are provided solely to establish a Washington state 17 library branch at Green Hill school. 18 (23) $90,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal 19 year 2024 and $90,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for 20 fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for the office to contract with 21 the University of Washington Evans school of public policy and 22 governance to examine processes for providing voting registration, 23 voting materials, and voting assistance for people held in Washington 24 jails. 25 (a) The study must: 26 (i) Identify challenges and obstacles to voting in Washington 27 jails; 28 (ii) Examine how election offices and jails can ensure that voter 29 registration, materials, and assistance are provided to registered 30 voters and eligible citizens who are in jail prior to each election; 31 (iii) Develop recommendations for facilitating voter registration 32 for eligible citizens and voting for registered voters in Washington 33 jails; and 34 (iv) Develop recommendations for identifying individuals who are 35 registered to vote upon jail admission and for providing voter 36 assistance upon release from jail. 37 (b) The study is due to the office, the governor, and the 38 appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2024. 39 p. 28 ESSB 5187.SL