SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2117

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Government Operations, February 23, 1996

Title:  An act relating to filing declarations of candidacy.

Brief Description:  Advancing the cutoff for candidacy filings.

Sponsors:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Scott, Blanton, Thompson and Costa.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/20/96, 2/23/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Goings, Hale and McCaslin.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  Persons who wish to run for elective office file a declaration of candidacy with the county auditor or elections officer or, in the case of jurisdictions which cross county lines, with the Secretary of State.  The time for filing is the five days commencing on the fourth Monday of July.  Special filing periods may be opened at other times when candidates withdraw or for special elections.  There is concern that the date of the general filing period at the end of July does not allow adequate time to efficiently prepare accurate voters' pamphlets.

Summary of Bill:  The time for filing declarations of candidacy for elective office is the five days commencing on the second Monday of July.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  More time to prepare the voters pamphlet is allowed, especially for the primary.  It makes it easier to prepare the primary mail ballots.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rep. D. Schmidt; Bob Terwilliger, Sno. Co. Auditor; Dean Loan, Kitsap Co. Auditor's Office.