House Bill 1116 would designate Election Day — the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November — as a legislatively recognized day, and would ask the Office of the Secretary of State to create programming materials to encourage education about democracy and voting, the committee heard.

Connor Schiff briefed the committee that the state currently recognizes a number of commemorative days; HB 1116 would add Election Day to that list and encourage schools, government entities and cultural organizations to run related programming. Representative Charlotte Mena, who introduced the bill on the floor, framed the proposal as a way to elevate civic education and excitement about voting among young people and constituencies with historically low turnout.

Testimony in support came from classroom educators and civic organizations. Marcelino Ruiz, a third‑grade dual‑language teacher in Pierce County, told the committee that a recognized Election Day would give teachers an additional tool to educate students about voting and civic participation. Andrew Villeneuve of the Northwest Progressive Institute presented polling data the organization collected showing majority support among likely Washington voters for making Election Day a holiday at some level and argued the designation could help raise turnout. Several online testifiers — including students and community members — also voiced support. Lawmakers discussed whether a future bill could expand the idea into a paid holiday; the sponsor and committee noted Washington’s statewide vote‑by‑mail system and that the current bill is a legislatively recognized day rather than a paid legal holiday.

The committee closed the hearing after testimony and questions; no final action on HB 1116 was recorded in the transcript.