SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5398

As of February 3, 2003

Title: An act relating to precinct committee officers.

Brief Description: Simplifying procedures for selection of precinct committee officers.

Sponsors: Senator Schmidt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/5/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: Candidates for precinct committee officer (PCO) for a major political party file for office like candidates for regular elective offices.

PCO's are elected at general elections held in even-numbered years, but primaries are not held to nominate them. The names of all candidates for PCO of a precinct are listed on the ballot at the general election. The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes is elected if the number of votes for that candidate is equal to at least 10 percent of the number of votes cast in that precinct for that candidate's party.

PCO's are elected to two-year terms of office. The chair of the central committee of a major political party fills any PCO vacancy, including a vacancy arising from the failure to elect a person at the general election. In a county with one million or more persons, however, the appointment is only made by the chair of the central committee upon the recommendation of the appropriate legislative district chair.

Summary of Bill: PCO's are elected only if two or more persons have filed declarations of candidacy for precinct committee officer of the same major political party from the same precinct.

The 10 percent vote requirement is deleted. Although the PCO for each major political party from the same precinct is a separate office, a voter may only cast one vote for a candidate for a PCO from that precinct.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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