SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1212

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of March 13, 2019

Title: An act relating to prohibiting the names of county auditors and the secretary of state in their official capacity on election materials.

Brief Description: Prohibiting the names of county auditors and the secretary of state in their official capacity on election materials.

Sponsors: Representatives Shea and McCaslin.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/01/19, 95-0.

Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 3/15/19.

Brief Summary of Bill

Prohibits the name of the Secretary of State from appearing in the state voters' pamphlet in their official capacity in any year.
Prohibits the name of the county auditor from appearing in the local voters' pamphlet in their official capacity on the ballot security or return envelope or any voting instructions or materials included with the ballot in any year.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: Voters' Pamphlets. The Secretary of State (Secretary) must print and distribute a voters' pamphlet to each household in the state, public libraries, and other locations the Secretary deems appropriate whenever a statewide ballot measure or office is scheduled to appear on the general election ballot. Counties and cities may publish and distribute a local voters' pamphlet with information on ballot measures appearing within the jurisdiction if authorized by local ordinance, including the text of measures and arguments supporting and opposing measures. The county or city may also specify in the ordinance if the local voters' pamphlet must contain information on candidates for office.

Ballot Materials. All counties in the state conduct elections entirely by mail. County auditors must send each voter a ballot with a voter declaration that must be signed, a security envelope to conceal the ballot after voting, and a larger envelope to return the security envelope. The voter also must receive instructions on how to obtain information about the election, how to complete the ballot, and how to return the ballot to the county auditor.

Summary of Bill: The Secretary's name may not appear in the state voters' pamphlet in their official capacity in any year. The Secretary's name may only appear during a year the Secretary is a candidate for office, as part of the information normally included for candidates.

The county auditor's name may not appear in the local voters' pamphlet in their official capacity in any year. The county auditor's name may only appear during a year the auditor is a candidate for office, as part of the information normally included for candidates. The county auditor's name may not appear on any security or return envelope, voting instructions, or materials included with the ballot in any year.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 13, 2019.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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