If a county canvassing board member cannot attend a county canvassing board meeting due to an emergency, as defined in the county canvassing board's manual, a designated representative may be appointed according to RCW 29A.60.140. If a designee cannot be appointed, the member may participate in the meeting remotely in accordance with RCW 42.30.230.

1. (1) When ballots, ballot return envelopes, the signatures on ballot declarations, and signature correction forms are considered during the meeting, the remote member must have access to an online computer application which allows viewing of the considered material. Images of ballots, ballot return envelopes, the signatures on ballot declarations, and signature correction forms cannot be recorded, copied, scanned, emailed, or faxed to a county canvassing board member, nor can a member record the considered material. The computer application is not required if ballots, ballot return envelopes, the signatures on ballot declarations, and signature correction forms are not considered during the meeting.

2. (2) As per RCW 29A.60.200, all three county canvassing board members or designees must certify the primary or election. If a primary or an election is certified during the meeting where a member or designee is attending remotely, a copy of the certification document must be sent electronically to the remote member. The certification document must be signed in the following manner:

   1. (a) The county canvassing board members or designees physically present at the meeting must sign the certification documentation.
   2. (b) A copy of the certification documentation is sent electronically to the remote member or designee.
   3. (c) The remote member or designee must print the signature page of the certification documentation, sign the page, and return the signed page electronically to the county canvassing board meeting location.
   4. (d) The remote member's or designee's signed signature page is printed and attached to the certification documentation signed by the other members of the county canvassing board, completing the certification documentation.
3. (3) An emergency meeting of the county canvassing board in accordance with this section is not a valid reason to refuse certification of the primary or election.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 26-12-030, s 434-262-016, filed 5/27/26, effective 6/27/26; WSR 17-12-090, § 434-262-016, filed 6/6/17, effective 7/7/17.]