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).

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections
House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs

Background: A county canvassing board determines the status of provisional ballots and certifies official election returns. A board is composed of three members: the county auditor, the county prosecuting attorney, and the chair of the county legislative body. If a member is not available to carry out his or her duties, that member 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. All designations must be in writing, and filed with the county auditor if done for a special election, or be on file with the county auditor's office if done on a permanent basis until revoked.

Washington has three forms of county-level governments: commission form, consolidated city-county, and home rule charter. A home rule charter allows for powers of initiative and referendum. County powers, authority, and the duties of county officials vest in the county legislative authority, unless expressly assigned to a specific officer in the home rule charter. Six counties operate with a home rule charter.

Summary: A chair of a county legislative body with a population over one million is allowed to designate an employee of the legislative body as a member of the county canvassing board. The chief of staff, legal counsel, clerk of the counsel, and policy staff director are employees of the legislative body. All designees must take an oath of office and complete training.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      31   17
House      65   31

Effective: June 12, 2008