EMERGENCY RULES
Effective Date of Rule: June 30, 2010.
Purpose: Adoption of new WAC 390-05-274 to clarify the term "party affiliation" and reference to "party," "political party," and similar terms in TITLE 390 WAC.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 42.17.370.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: In March of 2008, the United States supreme court upheld Washington's top two primary system which voters enacted by approving I-872 in 2004. Under the new primary system, chapter 29A.20 RCW which has been relied on to distinguish bona fide political parties from other political committees has been effectively repealed. Section 101, chapter 204, Laws of 2010 (effective January 1, 2012) amends chapter 42.17 RCW to remove the reference to chapter 29A.20 RCW and confirm the secretary of state's ability to recognize minor political parties. To preserve the general welfare and given the timing restriction for rule making in RCW 42.17.370(1), the new rule is needed for the 2010 election season to clarify the term "party affiliation" found in two sections of chapter 42.17 RCW and TITLE 390 WAC.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: May 27, 2010.
Lori Anderson
Communications and
Training Officer
OTS-1714.2
NEW SECTION
WAC 390-05-274
Party affiliation, party preference, etc.
(1) "Party affiliation" as that term is used in chapter 42.17 RCW and TITLE 390 WAC means the candidate's party preference
as expressed on his or her declaration of candidacy. A
candidate's preference does not imply that the candidate is
nominated or endorsed by that party, or that the party
approves of or associates with that candidate.
(2) A reference to "political party affiliation," "political party," or "party" on disclosure forms adopted by the commission and in TITLE 390 WAC refers to the candidate's self-identified party preference.
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