1. (1) The Public Records Act provides that a number of record types are exempt from public disclosure. If the office determines a record or information within a record is exempt from disclosure, the public records officer or designee will state the specific exemption and provide a brief explanation of why the record or portion of the record is being withheld. If only a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, the public records officer or designee will redact the exempt portions while providing the nonexempt portions.

2. (2) Requestors should be aware that exemptions outside the Public Records Act may restrict the availability of some records held by the office. These exemptions include, but are not limited to, the following:

   RCW 5.60.060(2) (attorney-client privilege, together with attorney work product privilege).

   RCW 5.60.060(5) (communications to a public officer in official confidence).

   RCW 5.60.070 (communications between a mediator and a party to mediation).

   RCW 29A.08.710 through 29A.08.775 (voter registration records).

   RCW 29A.32.100 (arguments and statements for voters pamphlet).

   RCW 29A.60.110 (sealing of ballot containers).

   RCW 40.14.030 (exempt records accessioned into state archives).

   RCW 40.24.070 (address confidentiality program).

   The foregoing list is for informational purposes only and failure to list an exemption shall not affect the efficacy of any exemption. The office reserves the right to determine that a public record is exempt under the provisions of state law.

3. (3) The office is prohibited by statute from disclosing lists of individuals for commercial purposes.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 42.56 RCW. WSR 26-01-013, s 434-12A-110, filed 12/4/25, effective 1/4/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-12A-110, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.56.040. WSR 09-04-026, § 434-12A-110, filed 1/28/09, effective 2/28/09; Order 74-2, § 434-12A-110, filed 2/19/74.]