HB 1225 - DIGEST

     Directs the redistricting commission to establish two United States senatorial districts within the state of Washington.

     Requires the two senatorial districts to have populations as nearly equal as is practicable, excluding nonresident military personnel, based on the population reported in the decennial census.

     Directs the commission to, insofar as practical, ensure:

     (1) District lines are drawn so as to coincide with the boundaries of local political subdivisions and areas recognized as communities of interest;

     (2) Districts are composed of convenient, contiguous, and compact territory;

     (3) Districts, to the extent possible, share a common land border or geographical boundary running north and south; and

     (4) Whenever practicable, a precinct must be wholly within a single senatorial district.

     Provides that the redistricting commission shall assign one senatorial district to each of the United States senate positions in this state.

     Declares that a person may not declare his or her candidacy for United States senator in a senatorial district other than the one in which he or she is properly registered to vote.

     Requires a candidate for United States senator to be elected on a statewide basis, regardless of the senatorial district he or she represents.

     Directs the secretary of state to submit this act to the people for their adoption and ratification, or rejection, at the next general election to be held in this state, in accordance with Article II, section 1 of the state Constitution and the laws adopted to facilitate its operation.