Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government Operations & Accountability Committee

HB 1132

Brief Description: Allowing more candidates to file with the secretary of state.

Sponsors: Representatives Nixon, Haigh and Shabro.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • If a candidate for state legislature, the court of appeals, or the superior court seeks office in a district that includes voters in two or more counties, the declaration of candidacy must be filed with the Secretary of State.
  • If such a candidate seeks office in a district that includes one county, both the Secretary of State and the County Auditor of that county may accept declarations of candidacy.

Hearing Date: 1/26/05

Staff: James Allen (786-7114).

Background:

Declarations of candidacy for statewide offices, the United States Senate, and the United States House of Representatives must be filed with the Secretary of State. Declarations of candidacy for the state legislature, the court of appeals, and the superior court also must be filed with the Secretary of State when candidates for these offices are from a district comprised of voters in more than one county.

Declarations of candidacy for all other offices must be filed with the county auditor. The official with whom a declaration of candidacy form is filed must transmit certain information from the form to the Public Disclosure Commission.


Summary of Bill:

The secretary of state and the county auditor may accept declarations of candidacy for candidates for the state legislature, the court of appeals, and the superior court when the candidate is seeking office in a district comprised of voters from one county.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.