HB 2767 - DIGEST

Provides that, in addition to the information required by RCW 29A.08.010 for voter registration, the county auditor shall provide each voter an opportunity to affiliate with a major political party as part of his or her voter registration. Under no circumstances may an individual be required to affiliate with a political party in order to register to vote.

Declares that each voter who chooses to affiliate with a major political party as part of his or her voter registration is considered a "registered party member" of that political party. A voter may not affiliate with more than one major political party at a time, but may change his or her party affiliation information in a manner consistent with the procedures for changing a voter registration address, as provided in RCW 29A.08.140, 29A.08.145, and 29A.08.430.

Provides that, if a person filing a declaration of candidacy for a partisan office designates on his or her declaration an affiliation with a major political party, he or she must, at the time of filing, be a registered party member of that major political party.

Provides that, if a person filing a declaration of candidacy for a partisan office designates on his or her declaration on affiliation with a minor political party or indicates that he or she is an independent candidate, he or she may not, at the time of filing, be a registered party member of any major political party.

Requires the voters' pamphlet to contain a section explaining how to register to vote, the option of affiliating with a major political party, the fact that party affiliation is not required in order to register to vote, and the fact that only voters who choose to affiliate with a major political party may participate in that party's primary election.

Repeals various provisions of chapter 29A RCW.