SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5180

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Government Operations, February 22, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the order of candidates on ballots.

Brief Description:  Determining the order of candidates on ballots.

Sponsors:  Senators Sheldon and Winsley; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/2/95, 2/22/95 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Drew and Winsley.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senators Hale, Heavey and McCaslin.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  Following the close of the filing period for partisan offices, the filing officer shall determine by lot the order in which the names of candidates will appear on sample and absentee ballots.  The order of candidates names on the primary ballots shall be rotated so that every candidate for a particular office will appear first on the ballot a nearly equal number of times.

Summary of Bill:  The requirement that the names of candidates in partisan primaries be rotated on the ballots is repealed.  The order of candidates names on primary, sample and absentee ballots is determined by lot following the closing of the filing period.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 20, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  It will result in substantial cost savings.  Studies show that candidate position on the ballot does not have a significant effect on results.  Absentee and mail ballots do not rotate.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dean Logan, Office of Secretary of State; Bob Terwilliger, Snohomish County Auditor; John Charles, King County Dept. of Elections.