1156-S AMH HATA ZOLL 152

  

SHB 1156 - H AMD 246

By Representative Harris-Talley

On page 2, line 33, after "(f)" insert "There are two types of ranked choice voting elections."

On page 2, line 39, after "offices," insert "including a primary,"

On page 3, beginning on line 7, after "resolve the tie" strike all material through "district" on line 8

On page 3, line 10, after "conducts" strike "an election" and insert "a general election for a single-winner contest"

On page 3, beginning on line 11, after "must" strike all material through "Hold" on line 13 and insert "hold"

On page 3, line 15, after "candidates." insert "A county, city, town, or district that conducts a general election for a multi-winner contest using ranked choice voting may not hold a primary."

On page 3, line 22, after "voting" strike "shall assist with" and insert "is responsible for"

On page 3, line 25, after "voters" strike "shall assist with" and insert "is responsible for its"

On page 4, line 21, after "(1)" strike all material through "if" and insert "If"

On page 4, line 32, after "(2)" strike all material through "if" and insert "If"

On page 5, beginning on line 5, after "(3)" strike all material through "resolve" on line 6 and insert "For"

On page 5, beginning on line 8, after "act," strike all material through "section," on line 12 and insert "the official empowered by state law to issue the original certificate of election for"

On page 6, beginning on line 9, after "chapter" strike all material through "primary" on line 12

On page 6, beginning on line 32, strike all of section 6

Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

On page 7, beginning on line 20, after "(2)" strike all material through "(3)" on line 24

On page 7, at the beginning of line 27, strike "(((3))) (4)" and insert "(3)"

On page 9, beginning on line 19, after "five" strike all material through "primary" on line 20

On page 10, after line 33, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. RCW 29A.04.410 and 2020 c 337 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Every county, city, town, and district, and the state is liable for its proportionate share of the costs when such elections are held in conjunction with other elections held under RCW 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The costs of implementing a ranked choice voting election as provided in section 1 of this act borne by a county must be apportioned under this section to the jurisdiction using ranked choice voting. Implementation costs that may be apportioned under this subsection are the costs associated with:

(a) Obtaining, upgrading, or developing any tabulation system components necessary for ranked choice voting, including hardware and software;

(b) The use or maintenance of any tabulation system components necessary for ranked choice voting; and

(c) Voter education and outreach associated with ranked choice voting.

(3) Whenever any county, city, town, or district, or the state holds any primary or election, general or special, on an isolated date, all costs of such elections must be borne by the county, city, town, or district concerned, or the state as appropriate.

(4) The purpose of this section is to clearly establish that the county is not responsible for any costs involved in the holding of any city, town, district, state, or federal election.

(5) In recovering such election expenses, including a reasonable proration of administrative costs, the county auditor shall certify the cost to the county treasurer with a copy to the clerk or auditor of the city, town, or district concerned, or the secretary of state as appropriate. Upon receipt of such certification relating to a city, town, or district, the county treasurer shall make the transfer from any available and appropriate city, town, or district funds to the county current expense fund or to the county election reserve fund if such a fund is established. Each city, town, or district must be promptly notified by the county treasurer whenever such transfer has been completed. However, in those districts wherein a treasurer, other than the county treasurer, has been appointed such transfer procedure does not apply, but the district shall promptly issue its warrant for payment of election costs. State and federal offices are to be considered one entity for purposes of election cost proration and reimbursement."

Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

Correct the title.

EFFECT: 

(1) Removes the ability of a jurisdiction using ranked choice voting for a single-winner election to choose to eliminate the primary.

(2) Specifies that costs borne by the county in implementing ranked choice voting are apportioned to the jurisdiction using ranked choice voting.

(3) Provides that all ties in ranked choice voting are resolved using the lot system.

(4) Makes county auditors responsible for, rather than assisting with, implementation of ranked choice voting. 

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