SB 6730 - DIGEST

Provides that, whenever candidates for partisan office are to be elected, the general election must be preceded by a primary conducted under chapter 29A.52 RCW, except as otherwise provided by law. Based upon votes cast at the primary, two candidates must be certified as qualified to appear on the general election ballot, under RCW 29A.52.320 and 29A.36.170.

Declares that a primary may not be used to select the nominees of a political party. A primary is a critical stage in the public process by which voters elect candidates to public office.

Declares that "partisan office" means an office for which a candidate may identify a political party under RCW 29A.24.030(3), and is limited to the following offices: (1) United States senator and representative;

(2) All state offices except: (a) Judicial offices; and (b) the office of superintendent of public instruction;

(3) All county offices except: (a) Judicial offices; and (b) those offices where a county home rule charter provides otherwise.

Repeals RCW 29A.04.157, 29A.24.200, 29A.24.210, 29A.28.010, 29A.28.020, and 29A.36.190.

Provides that this act takes effect July 1, 2004, if, as of that date, the decision issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on September 15, 2003, in the case of Democratic Party of Washington State v. Reed has not been withdrawn, stayed, reversed, or otherwise superseded.