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AN ACT Relating to the presidential preference primary; amending RCW 29.19.020, 29.19.070, and 29.19.080; adding new sections to chapter 29.19 RCW; repealing RCW 29.19.040, 29.19.050, and 29.19.060; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 29.19.020 and 1989 c 4 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) On the fourth Tuesday in May of each year ((~~when~~)) in which a president of the United States is to be nominated and elected, ((~~or such other date as may be selected by the secretary of state to advance the concept of a regional primary,~~)) a presidential ((~~preference~~)) primary shall be held at which voters may ((~~express their preferences as to who should be~~)) vote for the nominee of a major political party for the office of president. The secretary of state may propose an alternative date for the primary no later than the first day of August of the year prior to the year in which a president is to be nominated and elected.

(2) No later than the first day of September of the year prior to the year in which a presidential nominee is selected, the state committee of any major political party may propose an alternative date for the primary.

(3) If an alternative date is proposed under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, a committee consisting of the chair and the vice-chair of the state committee of each major political party, the secretary of state, the majority leader and minority leader of the senate, and the speaker and the minority leader of the house of representatives shall meet and, by a majority vote, approve or reject the change in the date of the primary. The committee shall meet and decide on the proposed alternate date not later than the first day of October of the year prior to the year in which a presidential nominee is selected. The secretary of state shall convene and preside over the meeting of the committee. A committee member other than a legislator may appoint, in writing, a designee to serve on his or her behalf. A legislator who is a member of the committee may appoint, in writing, another legislator to serve on his or her behalf.

(4) If an alternate date is approved under this section, the secretary of state shall adopt rules under RCW 29.19.070 to adjust the deadlines in RCW 29.19.030 and related provisions of this chapter to correspond with the date that has been approved.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 29.19 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Except where necessary to accommodate the national or state rules of a major political party or where this chapter specifically provides otherwise, the presidential primary must be conducted in substantially the same manner as a state partisan primary under this title.

(2) Except as provided under this chapter or by rule of the secretary of state adopted under RCW 29.19.070, the arrangement and form of presidential primary ballots must be substantially as provided for a partisan primary under this title. Whenever required under the national or state rules of a major political party, a separate ballot containing only the candidates of that party who have qualified under RCW 29.19.030 shall be provided for any voter who requests a ballot of that party. A primary ballot, containing the names of all the candidates who have qualified for a place on the ballot under RCW 29.19.030, shall be provided for nonaffiliated voters.

(3) The names of all candidates for the office of president shall be listed alphabetically on the ballot. The political party of each candidate shall be indicated adjacent to the name of that candidate. A blank space to allow the voter to write in the name of any other candidate shall be included on each ballot.

(4) A presidential primary ballot with votes for more than one candidate is void, and notice to this effect, stated in clear, simple language and printed in large type, must appear on the face of each presidential primary ballot or on or about each voting device.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 29.19 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A major political party may, under national or state party rules, base the allocation of delegates from this state to the national nominating convention of that party in whole or in part on the participation in precinct caucuses and conventions conducted under the rules of that party.

(2) If, under national or state party rules, a major political party bases a portion of the allocation of delegates on the results of the presidential primary, the secretary of state shall adopt rules under RCW 29.19.070 to provide for any declaration required of voters who participate in the nominating process of that party.

(3) Voters who subscribe to a specific political party declaration as provided under this section must be given ballots that are readily distinguishable from those given to other voters. Votes cast by persons making these declarations must be tabulated and reported separately from other votes cast at the primary and may be used by a major political party in its allocation of delegates under the rules of that party.

(4) For a political party that requires a specific voter declaration under this section, the secretary of state shall prescribe rules for providing, to the state and county central committees of that political party, a copy of the declarations or a list of the voters who participated in the presidential nominating process of that party.

Sec. 4. RCW 29.19.070 and 1989 c 4 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

The secretary of state as chief election officer may make rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW ((~~or its statutory successor~~)) to facilitate the operation, accomplishment, and purpose of this chapter. The secretary of state shall adopt rules to modify any procedures of this chapter that would otherwise conflict with national or state political party rules.

Sec. 5. RCW 29.19.080 and 1989 c 4 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

Subject to available funds specifically appropriated for this purpose, whenever a presidential ((~~preference~~)) primary ((~~election~~)) is held as provided by this chapter, the state of Washington shall assume all costs of holding the ((~~election~~)) primary if it is held alone. If any other election or elections are held at the same time, the state is liable only for ((~~its~~)) a prorated share of the costs. The county auditor shall determine the ((~~election~~)) costs, including the state's prorated share, if applicable, in the same manner as provided under RCW 29.13.045 and shall file a certified claim ((~~therefore~~)) with the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall ((~~compile such claims for presentation to the next succeeding legislature in the same manner as other legislative relief claims~~)) include in his or her biennial budget requests sufficient funds to carry out this section. Reimbursements for primary costs must be from appropriations specifically provided by law for that purpose.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

(1) RCW 29.19.040 and 1989 c 4 s 4;

(2) RCW 29.19.050 and 1989 c 4 s 5; and

(3) RCW 29.19.060 and 1989 c 4 s 6.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.