HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1288

Determining candidate order on primary ballots.

Brief Title                               Hearing Date: 2/2/99

Reps. D. Schmidt and Romero               Staff:  Steve Lundin

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7127

BACKGROUND:

The order of names of candidates or nominees for any elected position on the ballot for a primary or general election are selected by lot.  All ballots are printed with that single order of candidates for each position.  However, candidate names are rotated for any partisan offices, the office of superintendent of public instruction, and all judicial offices on ballots at primaries.

This rotation of names for these offices on different ballots at primaries is accomplished by taking the first name on the list of candidates for the position and moving it to the last position and moving each other name up to the position immediately above its prior position.  This rotation occurs for as many times as there are number of candidates for that position.  As nearly as possible the same number of ballots are printed with each different order of candidates.  However, all of the ballots presented to voters from the same precinct who vote at a polling place appear in the same order.

SUMMARY:

The rotation of names of candidates for partisan offices, the office of superintendent of public instruction, and judicial offices on ballots at primaries is eliminated and, a single order of names of candidates for those positions appearing on ballots is determined by lot.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.