FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 1018

C 413 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Modifying when a special election may be held.

Sponsors: House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Appleton, Herrera, Chandler, Armstrong, Haigh, Newhouse, Hinkle, Green, Sells, Orcutt, Ross, Bailey, Short, Kretz and Condotta).

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background:

By law, special elections may occur on the following dates:

• the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February;

• the second Tuesday in March;

• the fourth Tuesday in April;

• the third Tuesday in May;

• the day of the August primary; or

• the day of the general election.

In the year of a presidential election, if a presidential preference primary is conducted in February, March, April, or May, the date of the special election in that month must be the date of the presidential primary.County legislative authorities must submit a resolution calling for a special election to the county auditors 52 days prior to the special election date.

Summary:

The special election that may be held on the second Tuesday in March is eliminated. The date of the February special election is changed to the second Tuesday. The special election date in May is restricted to tax levies that failed previously in that calendar year and new bond issues only. After 2011, the May special election date is eliminated.

The requirement that a special election be held on the same date as the presidential preference primary is removed. Resolutions calling for a special election must be submitted to the county auditor 45 days prior to the special election date.

Votes on Final Passage: