HB 2319-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

      Establishes a division of elections within the office of the secretary of state.

      Creates the Washington state election administration and certification board.

      Expands procedures for the observation and certification of elections.

      Permits election-related complaints to be filed with the secretary of state.

      Establishes an election review section.

      Provides expanded training procedures for election officials.

      Creates an election assistance and clearinghouse program within the elections division.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 2319-S

                        April 1, 1992

To the Honorable, the House

  of Representatives of the

  State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 16, Substitute House Bill No. 2319 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to election administration."

      Substitute House Bill No. 2319 creates the Election Administration and Certification Board to assure that elections are fair and efficient and that persons who work on elections are trained and well qualified.

      Section 16 puts this program in jeopardy by providing that if specific funding is not included in the 1993 appropriations act, this act will become null and void.  In recognition of the importance of this new program, I am eliminating this "null and void" provision.

      For this reason, I have vetoed section 16 of Substitute House Bill No. 2319.

      With the exception of section 16, Substitute House Bill No. 2319 is approved.

                        Respectfully submitted,

                        Booth Gardner

                        Governor