Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee |
SSB 6688
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: Concerning filling vacancies in nonpartisan elective office.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Fairley and Shin).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/19/10
Staff: Tracey O'Brien (786-7196).
Background:
If a partisan county office is vacated, the county legislative body must appoint a qualified person to serve until the successor is elected at the next general election. If the office vacated after the general election in the year that the position appears on the ballot and before the commencement of the next term, the successor may take office immediately after the election results are certified.
A number of counties have reclassified certain countywide elective offices as nonpartisan. There is no mechanism in the State Constitution or in statute that governs the filling of a vacancy in a nonpartisan office.
Summary of Bill:
If a vacancy occurs in a nonpartisan county board of commissioners elective office or a nonpartisan county council elective office, the person appointed to fill the vacancy must be from the same legislative district, county, or county commissioner or council district as the county elective officer whose office was vacated. In addition, the person must be one of three persons who are nominated by the nonpartisan executive or nonpartisan chair of the board of commissioners for the county. If a majority of the members of the county legislative authority cannot agree upon the appointment within 30 days after the vacancy occurs, the governor must appoint someone to fill the list from the list of three nominees within 15 days.
If the vacancy occurs after the general election in a year that the position appears on the ballot and before the commencement of the new term, the term of the successor may commence one he or she has been certified and administered the oath of office. He or she shall serve the full term.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.