SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5348

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 15, 1991

Brief Description:  Eliminating the primary for legislative races when no more than one person is nominated from each party.

SPONSORS:Senators West, Talmadge, Owen, Johnson, Vognild, Erwin, McMullen, Sellar, Saling, McDonald, Nelson, Hayner, Thorsness and Oke.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates:February 18, 1991

BACKGROUND:

For most city, county and special district nonpartisan elections, no primary is held if no more than two candidates file for any single position.  It has been suggested that the same circumstances could apply to state legislative races if no more than one candidate files from each major political party.

SUMMARY:

No primary is held for the position of state senator or representative if, after the last day when candidates may withdraw, no more than one candidate has filed for the position from each major political party.  The county auditor must notify all affected candidates that the office will not appear on the primary ballot.  On the general election ballot, names of the remaining candidates will appear in an order determined by lot.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested