SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5397

As of February 3, 2003

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

Brief Description: Determining the order of candidates on ballots.

Sponsors: Senator Schmidt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/4/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: The filing officer determines by lot the order of candidates on the ballot for primary elections. The same order is used on all sample and absentee ballots.

On primary ballots, the order of candidates for federal, state, and county partisan offices, for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and for judicial offices is rotated. Each candidate's name appears in every possible position for the office. An equal number of ballots is printed with each candidate order.

Summary of Bill: The order of candidates' names on all primary ballots is no longer rotated. The filing officer determines the order of candidates' names by lot.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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