| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee | |
SSB 6181
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Providing an employee of the county legislative authority may be appointed to the county canvassing board.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators McDermott, Oemig, Fairley and Kohl-Welles).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/22/08
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
A county canvassing board is comprised of three members: the county auditor, the county
prosecuting attorney, and the chair of the county legislative body. The board determines the
validity of provisional, questioned, and challenged ballots and certifies official election returns.
If a member of the board is not available to carry out his or her duties, he or she may designate
an individual to act in their respective place. The county auditor may designate a deputy auditor,
the county prosecutor may designate a deputy prosecutor, and the chair of the county legislative
body may designate another member of the county legislative body. Designations may be made
on an election-by-election basis or on a permanent basis until revoked by the designating
authority.
State law requires that any person having a responsibility to administer or conduct elections must
receive training on their responsibilities and duties. This training requirement applies to county
canvassing board members.
Summary of Bill:
In counties with a population over one million people, the chair of a county legislative body may
designate an employee to serve on the county canvassing board in the event the chair is not
available. An "employee of the legislative body" is an individual who reports directly to the
chair and serves as chief of staff, legal counsel, clerk of the council, or policy staff director. Any
designee assigned to the county canvassing board must complete the same training in the
conduct of elections as required for county canvassing board members.
House Bill Compared to Senate Bill
House bill 2434 allows for the chair of the county legislative body in a home rule charter county
to designate an employee who reports directly to the chair to serve on the county canvassing
board. Under Substitute House bill 2434, the specification for a "home rule charter county" was
replaced with a "county with a population of 500,000 or more people" and a provision was added
to require that any designee to the canvassing board must complete training in the conduct of
elections.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.