Citizen initiative requiring voter ID in WA state allowed to proceed to signature gathering

Washington State GOP Chair and State Representative Jim Walsh told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI that the legal victory was a major win for election integrity. “It’s a good reform,” said Walsh. “It requires people registering to vote in Washington to prove they are US citizens and legal voters. That’s it. It’s narrowly focused and very clear.”

The initiative, IL26-126, was challenged by the progressive advocacy group OneAmerica, which attempted to change the ballot title written by the Washington State Attorney General’s office. Walsh called their efforts a “delay tactic” designed to slow down the initiative process and hinder petition circulation.

“OneAmerica was suing to try to change the title,” Walsh explained. “They didn’t like it because it was too clear. They offered a more confusing, less factual version—and the judge rejected it. We won.”

He criticized The Seattle Times and other outlets for inaccurately portraying the initiative’s contents. “This initiative has nothing to do with mail-in voting or vote tabulation. It simply requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote,” he added.

Currently, Washington’s system relies heavily on self-certification during registration. According to Walsh, people can register to vote simply by checking a box, sometimes even via automatic registration through driver’s license renewals or social services.

“There’s no certainty that someone being automatically registered is actually a citizen,” he said. “This initiative requires that good due diligence. An enhanced driver’s license, a passport, or a birth certificate, there are several valid forms of ID that will work.”

With the court battle behind them, Walsh said the GOP is now moving forward with the next phase: collecting approximately 330,000 signatures by the end of the calendar year to qualify the initiative for legislative consideration or the 2026 ballot.

“You’ll see our volunteers out at county fairs and public events all summer and fall,” he said. “We’re optimistic. Even state attorneys admitted this initiative has momentum.”

If enough signatures are collected, the initiative will first be presented to the state Legislature. If lawmakers choose not to act, it will go to a public vote.