Title: An act relating to county auditors.

Brief Description: Making the county auditor an elective office in all counties.

Sponsors: Senators Roach, Mulliken, Johnson, Hewitt, Honeyford, Sheldon and Schmidt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/2/06.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: Home rule counties are counties that have framed and adopted a charter to govern the county. Home rule charters can provide for county officers as deemed necessary; however, the charter cannot affect the election of the prosecuting attorney, the county superintendent of schools, the judges of the superior court, or the justices of the peace. In non-charter counties, the county auditor is an elected official and is the officer having the overall responsibility to maintain voter registration and to conduct state and local elections.

There are five charter counties in Washington (King, Pierce, Snohomish, Whatcom, and Clallam). In four of the five counties, the auditor is the chief elections official and is an elected officer. However, in King County, the auditor is not the chief elections officer. That responsibility belongs to the Director of the Records, Elections, and Licensing Services Division, who is appointed by the county executive.

Summary of Bill: The intent, as stated in the bill, is to make the chief elections official, however named, an elective office in all counties, including charter counties.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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