HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 92-4758, by Representatives Cooper, Ogden, Ferguson, Mitchell, Riley, R. Meyers, Leonard and H. Myers

   WHEREAS, The right to vote is the privilege of a free nation, the heart of any democracy, and the foundation of our government; and

   WHEREAS, The United States Constitution guarantees that right to all citizens, regardless of race, creed, gender, ethnic origin, or physical impairment; and

   WHEREAS, The process of selecting our public officials must be kept open and accessible to all people at all times; and

   WHEREAS, In 1988, more than 200,000 Washington residents signed a petition calling for a Presidential primary election in this state, encouraging more people to participate in the process of selecting our President; and

   WHEREAS, The initiative enacted by the 1989 Legislature to provide for that primary election specifically states that the presidential nominating caucus system in Washington state restricts voter participation "... in that it discriminates against the elderly, the infirm, women, the handicapped, evening workers, and others who are unable to attend caucuses ..."; and

   WHEREAS, State law protects the right of all people to have access to public meetings, and that right should include people with physical handicaps who wish to attend neighborhood caucuses; and

   WHEREAS, Our caucus system unfairly restricts people with physical handicaps;

   NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call on our state's political parties to provide caucus facilities for people with physical handicaps, ensuring that no one is denied their right to participate in our nation's democratic process; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives affirm this right to access as a fundamental element of the right to vote and the right of citizens to participate in our democracy; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to State Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Marchioro and State Republican Chairman Ben Bettridge.

         I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

        Resolution 4758 adopted by the House of Representatives

                             March 3, 1992.

                     ________________________________

                       Alan Thompson, Chief Clerk