Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Washington is taking a giant leap forward in election security. Thanks to a groundbreaking bipartisan bill championed by Sen. Matt Boehnke, the state’s elections will be more secure and resilient against cyber threats than ever before. On Saturday, the governor proudly signed Senate Bill 5014, marking a historic moment supported by a unanimous vote from both chambers of the Legislature.

This new legislation sets bold standards for election infrastructure security and mandates the quick reporting of any cyber breaches, ensuring that voter data stays safe and public trust in Washington’s elections remains unshaken. “This is about safeguarding democracy, not scoring political points,” declared Boehnke, R-Kennewick. “Every voter deserves to know their information is protected and their vote is secure—this law guarantees that!”

By 2027, every county in Washington will be required to adopt cutting-edge cybersecurity measures, including the use of .gov domains for election offices, state-of-the-art ballot-tabulation systems, and the essential separation of election infrastructure from other county IT systems. Plus, election vendors, counties, and contractors will have to report any breaches or malicious cyber activity instantaneously to the secretary of state and attorney general.

“Washington is leading the way in election security!” Boehnke exclaimed. “Instead of waiting for a crisis, we’re gearing up now—with transparency, collaboration, and smart, forward-looking policy making the way!”

This visionary legislation has rallied a diverse coalition of cybersecurity experts, county auditors, and lawmakers across party lines. “This law shows that when it comes to safeguarding democracy, we can unite!” Boehnke added emphatically. “It’s not about ideology; it’s about doing what’s right for the people of Washington.”

In partnership with counties, Washington’s Secretary of State is working diligently until July 1, 2027, to bring this robust security infrastructure to life, allowing flexibility for those needing extra time. “The digital threats to our elections are real and evolving,” Boehnke warned. “Now, with this 21st-century framework, Washington is ready to tackle them head-on!”

The new law takes effect July 27.

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