SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5090

                    AS OF JANUARY 18, 1993

Brief Description:  Eliminating the presidential preference primary.

SPONSORS: Senators McCaslin and Hochstatter

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates: January 26, 1993

BACKGROUND:

In 1989, Initiative 99 to the Legislature was approved, establishing a presidential preference primary on the fourth Tuesday in May of each year when a president of the United States is to be elected.  The Secretary of State may change the date to accommodate a regional primary.  The Secretary of State shall place on a ballot for each major political party the names of any individual whose candidacy is generally advocated, is recognized in the national news media, or is supported by a petition signed by 1,000 registered voters.

At the primary, voters must sign a ballot request form declaring the party primary in which he or she wishes to participate.  These request forms are retained for a period of time for public inspection.

Delegates to national party conventions must be selected to reflect the results of the primary except as otherwise provided by national party rules.

One primary has been conducted under this law.  Prior to the primary, controversy arose with regard to the degree of allegiance a voter must disclose when requesting a ballot and one major political party refused to recognize the primary results when selecting delegates to its national convention.  There was a 13.48 percent turnout of registered voters at the primary.

SUMMARY:

The statutes establishing a presidential preference primary and references to those statutes are repealed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 19, 1993