FINAL BILL REPORT

HJR 4206

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Amending the Constitution to provide for vacancies that occur after the general election.

Sponsors: By Representatives Hudgins, Nixon, Flannigan, Pettigrew, Clibborn, Kenney, Haigh, Hinkle, Bailey, Morrell and Upthegrove.

House Committee on State Government

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background:

If a legislative or partisan county office is vacated, the county legislative body must appoint someone to serve until the successor is elected at the next general election. Once the election results are certified, the successor must take office immediately.

Amendments to the State Constitution require a two-thirds majority approval in the Legislature and simple majority approval by the people at the following general election.

Summary:

In an election year, if a vacancy occurs in a legislative or partisan county office after the general election but before the start of the next term, the successor may take office immediately after the election results are certified if he or she is of the same political party as the incumbent. If the successor is of a different political party than the incumbent, a vacancy must be filled through the appointment process.

The proposed constitutional amendment must be approved by voters in the November general election.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 93  0

Senate 46  0    (Senate amended)

House 97  0    (House concurred)