HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2548

BYRepresentatives R. Fisher, McLean, Horn, R. King, Anderson, Todd and Wood

Changing provisions relating to the election of precinct committee officers.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Todd, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; R. Fisher, Hankins, R. King, Morris, O'Brien and Silver.

House Staff:Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT JANUARY 18, 1990

BACKGROUND:

To be elected to the position of precinct committee officer, a person must receive at least 10 percent of the number of the votes cast for the candidate of that person's party who received the greatest number of votes in the precinct.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The rule of law that a person seeking the position of precinct committee officer must receive at least 10 percent of the number of the votes cast for the candidate of that person's party who received the greatest number of votes in the precinct now applies only in limited circumstances.  It now applies only in an election for the position in which the only candidates for that position are write-in candidates.  That is, it does not apply if a person has filed as a candidate for that position during the normal filing period.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The amendments clarify that the winner of a write-in contest for the position must receive a plurality of votes as well as satisfying the "ten percent" rule.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ken Housden, County Auditors' Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Sometimes precinct committee offices remain vacant after an election because the candidates who filed for the office failed to satisfy the "ten percent" rule.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.