The Reflector recently ran a Clark County Today article with a misleading headline about “the state’s voter ID initiative,” IL 26-126, which is not a neutral statewide measure. It is a GOP campaign led by Rep. Jim Walsh, based on the unfounded claim that non-citizens are voting in significant numbers.
The facts say otherwise. Washington already requires every voter-registration applicant to affirm U.S. citizenship under penalty of perjury—a Class C felony with penalties up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The state also uses a strong system of data cross-checks. There is no evidence of widespread non-citizen voting.
In actuality, the initiative would force current voters without an Enhanced ID to make an appointment with the county auditor, show up in person, and present specific proof of citizenship just to remain registered. This would fall hardest on elderly voters, low-income residents, rural communities, naturalized citizens, Puerto Rico–born U.S. citizens, people who have changed their names, and anyone with older or technically non-compliant birth certificates.
Rep. Walsh has admitted that I-26-126 is “the first step,” with the ultimate goal of eliminating Washington’s vote-by-mail system (which would also mean returning to long lines at many polling places). Petitioners need just over 308,000 signatures by January 2 to qualify the initiative for the 2026 ballot, which would almost certainly bring legal challenges.
We should recognize this effort for what it is: a partisan attempt to restrict voting access, not a measure to improve election integrity.
Gary Obermeyer
Battle Ground
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