SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5273

As Passed Senate, March 14, 2001

Title:  An act relating to election filing dates.

Brief Description:  Revising election filing dates.

Sponsors:  Senators Gardner, McCaslin, Haugen and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/14/01, 2/22/01 [DP].

Passed Senate:  3/14/01, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Hale, Haugen, Kline, T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Staff:  Aaron Jennings (786‑7445)

Background: Additional filings for nonpartisan office before the primary: Filing for nonpartisan office will reopen for three days if before the fourth Tuesday prior to a primary a void in candidacy occurs, a vacancy occurs in a nonpartisan office leaving a nonexpired term, or a nominee for judge of the superior court dies or is disqualified.

Additional filings for nonpartisan office after the primary:  Filings for nonpartisan office, other than judge of the Supreme Court or Superintendent of Public Instruction, shall be reopened for three days if a void in candidacy for that office occurs on or after the fourth Tuesday before the primary but before the fourth Tuesday prior to an election.  If a nominee for judge of the superior court dies or is disqualified within the ten-day period when a petition for write-in candidate may be received, filing for the office will be reopened for three days.  A filing will reopen for three days if  vacancy in a nonpartisan office, other than judge of the Supreme Court or Superintendent of Public Instruction, occurs on or after the fourth Tuesday before the primary and before the fourth Tuesday prior to an election.

Additional filings for partisan office before the primary:  Filings for partisan office shall be opened for three days if a vacancy occurs in an office on or after the first day of regular filing period and before the fourth Tuesday prior to a primary.

When ballots shall be corrected:  A vacancy in a candidacy of any political party caused by death or disqualification may be filled by the party up to and including the day before the election. Should the vacancy occur no later than the third Tuesday before the general election or primary, the ballots shall be corrected. If the vacancy does not occur until after the third Tuesday before the general election or primary, the ballots shall not be corrected.

Summary of Bill: Additional filings for nonpartisan office before the primary: Filing for nonpartisan office is reopened for three days if before the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary a void in candidacy occurs, a vacancy occurs in a nonpartisan office leaving a nonexpired term, or a nominee for judge of the superior court dies or is disqualified.

Additional filings for nonpartisan office after the primary: Filings for nonpartisan office, other than judge of the Supreme Court or Superintendent of Public Instruction, must be reopened for three days if a void in candidacy for that office occurs on or after the sixth Tuesday before the primary but before the sixth Tuesday prior to an election.  If a nominee for judge of the superior court dies or is disqualified within the ten-day period immediately following the last day allotted for a candidate to withdraw, filing for the office is reopened for three days.  A filing is reopened for three days if  vacancy in a nonpartisan office, other than judge of the Supreme Court or Superintendent of Public Instruction, occurs on or after the sixth Tuesday before the primary and before the sixth Tuesday prior to an election.

Additional filings for partisan office before the primary:  Filings for partisan office must be opened for three days if a vacancy occurs in an office on or after the first day of regular filing period and before the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary.

When ballots shall be corrected:  A vacancy in a candidacy of any political party caused by death or disqualification may be filled by the party up to and including the day before the election. Should the vacancy occur no later than the sixth Tuesday before the general election or primary, the ballots must be corrected.  If the vacancy does not occur until after the sixth Tuesday before the general election or primary, the ballots are not corrected.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill will make it easier for counties to have the ballots printed and the absentee ballots sent out on time.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Bob Bruce, County Auditors; Barbara Sandahl, WA Assn. of City Officials.