BILL REQ. #:  S-1707.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/21/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to requiring the state to assume a share of the costs of state primary and general elections; and amending RCW 29A.04.216, 29A.04.420, 29A.04.430, and 29A.64.081; and adding a new section to chapter 29A.64 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 29A.04.216 and 2004 c 271 s 104 are each amended to read as follows:
     The county auditor of each county shall be ex officio the supervisor of all primaries and elections, general or special, and it shall be the county auditor's duty to provide places for holding such primaries and elections; to appoint the precinct election officers and to provide for their compensation; to provide the supplies and materials necessary for the conduct of elections to the precinct election officers; and to publish and post notices of calling such primaries and elections in the manner provided by law. The notice of a primary held in an even-numbered year must indicate that the office of precinct committee officer will be on the ballot. The auditor shall also apportion to each city, town, or district, and to the state of Washington ((in the odd-numbered year)), its share of the expense of such primaries and elections. This section does not apply to general or special elections for any city, town, or district that is not subject to RCW 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330, but all such elections must be held and conducted at the time, in the manner, and by the officials (with such notice, requirements for filing for office, and certifications by local officers) as provided and required by the laws governing such elections.

Sec. 2   RCW 29A.04.420 and 2003 c 111 s 147 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever state officers or measures are voted upon at a state primary or general election ((held in an odd-numbered year)) under RCW ((29A.04.320)) 29A.04.321, the state of Washington shall assume a prorated share of the costs of that state primary or general election.
     (2) Whenever a primary or vacancy election is held to fill a vacancy in the position of United States senator or United States representative under chapter 29A.28 RCW, the state of Washington shall assume a prorated share of the costs of that primary or vacancy election.
     (3) The county auditor shall apportion the state's share of these expenses when prorating election costs under RCW 29A.04.410 and shall file such expense claims with the secretary of state.
     (4) The secretary of state shall include in his or her biennial budget requests sufficient funds to carry out this section. Reimbursements for election costs shall be from appropriations specifically provided by law for that purpose.

Sec. 3   RCW 29A.04.430 and 2003 c 111 s 148 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((For any reimbursement of election costs under RCW 29A.04.420, the secretary of state shall pay interest at an annual rate equal to two percentage points in excess of the discount rate on ninety-day commercial paper in effect at the federal reserve bank in San Francisco on the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the payment for any period of time in excess of thirty days after the receipt of a properly executed and documented voucher for such expenses and the entry of an allotment from specifically appropriated funds for this purpose.)) The secretary of state shall promptly notify any county that submits an incomplete or inaccurate voucher for reimbursement under RCW 29A.04.420.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 29A.64 RCW to read as follows:
     If a mandatory recount is required under RCW 29A.64.021 for an office where a candidate for the office must file the declaration of candidacy with the secretary of state, the county auditor shall determine the expense of conducting the recount and file an expense claim for such costs with the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall reimburse the county an amount equal to seventy-five percent of the cost of the recount.

Sec. 5   RCW 29A.64.081 and 2004 c 271 s 181 are each amended to read as follows:
     The canvassing board shall determine the expenses for conducting a recount of votes.
     The cost of the recount shall be deducted from the amount deposited by the applicant for the recount at the time of filing the request for the recount, and the balance shall be returned to the applicant. If the costs of the recount exceed the deposit, the applicant shall pay the difference. No charges may be deducted by the canvassing board from the deposit for a recount if the recount changes the result of the nomination or election for which the recount was ordered.
     If the recount was requested for an office where a candidate for the office must file the declaration of candidacy with the secretary of state, and the recount changed the results of the primary or election, the canvassing board shall file an expense claim for the costs of that recount with the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall reimburse the county an amount equal to seventy-five percent of the cost of the recount.