The Senate Friday voted 38-10 to approve HB 1639, which increases the expense allowance for members of the state’s Electoral College. The electors meet in Olympia every four years in December to cast the state’s electoral votes for the U.S. presidential ticket that wins the state’s popular vote. The House passed the bill earlier this session, so it now goes to Gov. Inslee for consideration. Above is a link to our blog post about the Legislature approving the measure. Our legislative intern, Nate Hauger, helped shepherd the bill through the Legislature.
The Electoral College compensation rate has not been adjusted since 1891 — $5 a day for expenses and 10-cent-a-mile for transportation costs. In the early years, lawmakers were told, the main cost was for a hotel room and a stable and hay for the horses.
Brian Zylstra
Deputy Communications Director
Office of Secretary of State
