S-2022.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6030

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

By Senator Heavey

Read first time 02/27/95.  Referred to Committee on Government Operations.

Requiring councilmembers in cities with a population of four hundred thousand or more to be elected from wards or districts.

    AN ACT Relating to council elections in cities with a population of four hundred thousand or more; adding a new section to chapter 35.22 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 35.22 RCW to read as follows:

    Notwithstanding any charter provision to the contrary, any city with a population of four hundred thousand or more shall be divided into the same number of wards or election districts as there are council positions.  Candidates shall run for specific positions.  Wards or districts shall be redrawn as provided in chapter 29.70 RCW.

    Wards or districts shall be used as follows:  (1) Only a resident of the ward or district may be a candidate for, or hold office as, a councilmember of the ward or district; (2) only voters of the ward or district may vote at a primary to nominate candidates for a councilmember of the ward or district; and (3) only voters of the ward or district may vote at a general election to elect a person as a councilmember of the ward or district.

    In any city subject to this section in which the councilmembers are not currently elected in conformity with this section, a primary and general election shall be held for all council positions at the first opportunity on the dates specified in RCW 29.13.020 and 29.13.070.  The staggering of terms of councilmembers shall be established at this election, where the simple majority of the persons elected as councilmembers receiving the greatest numbers of votes shall be elected to four-year terms of office and the remainder of the persons elected as councilmembers shall be elected to two-year terms of office.  Newly elected councilmembers shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.  All councilmembers who are elected subsequently shall be elected to four-year terms of office and shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified and assume office in accordance with RCW 29.04.170.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  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 shall take effect immediately.

                            --- END ---