Washington Cities Face New Voting Oversight | Seattle News

Seattle News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 8, 2026 · 1m

Three Washington counties and cities now face state oversight over voting changes after a new Voting Rights Act targets past Latino voter disenfranchisement. Yakima, Pasco, and Yakima County must clear proposals with the Attorney General before altering election rules — a move critics say adds bureaucracy while advocates see as vital protection. Local leaders complain of stifled autonomy and rising costs, especially amid recent Supreme Court rulings. The state’s new guardrails aim to prevent discriminatory practices and ensure marginalized communities can fully participate in democracy…