Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
HB 1116
Brief Description: Recognizing election day.
Sponsors: Representatives Mena, Ramel, Berry and Reed.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Designates Election Day as a legislatively recognized day.
  • Encourages governmental entities and educational and cultural organizations to recognize Election Day and engage in educational programming.
  • Requires the Office of the Secretary of State to create programming and resources for entities to use in their programming.
Hearing Date: 1/14/25
Staff: Connor Schiff (786-7093).
Background:

The United States of America has its General Election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

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State Holidays.

Washington recognizes 11 specific days as paid state legal holidays: ?New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents' Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Juneteenth; Labor Day; Veterans' Day; Thanksgiving Day; Native American Heritage Day; and Christmas Day. ?Another 20 specific days are recognized by the Legislature, but they are not considered legal holidays. ?Some of those days commemorate specific events, such as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. ?Other days commemorate groups of people, such as Korean-American Day, or certain ideas, such as Human Trafficking Awareness Day and Public Lands Day.
Summary of Bill:

Election Day is a legislatively recognized day.? Election Day takes place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November.? The Legislature encourages state governmental entities, local governments, schools and institutions of higher education, and cultural organizations to engage in educational programming related to democracy and voting.? The Office of the Secretary of State is required to create Election Day programming and materials for entities to use in planning and structuring their recognitions.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 7, 2025.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.