A Washington Senate bill would officially hand over the state’s centralized election database to the University of Washington, a move proponents believe will offer greater public access to information. Some critics say it could make it easier for individuals to sue the state and create potential for partisan use of that data.
In 2022, the state Legislature appropriated funds for UW to create a data repository that includes a variety of information about elections, including estimated racial demographics in electoral precincts between 2007-2022. The database is managed by the Center for the Study of Demography and Ecology under Director Scott Allard.
Senate Bill 5837 sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, would codify the database under the UW’s control, to be managed by a director employed at the UW. The director would be required to bring in staff “to implement and maintain the database.”
Among the described uses of the database include:
- Assisting state and local governments with evaluations of voting laws and practices and whether they are “consistent with public policy”;
- Implementing best practices for voting and elections; and
- Investigating potential infringements upon the right to vote.
