BILL REQ. #:  S-0768.2 

Read first time 01/26/09.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to errors in voters' pamphlets; and adding a new section to chapter 29A.32 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 29A.32 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) When a material error occurs in a local voters' pamphlet, the election officer shall:
     (a)(i) Send a notice of correction to a local publication that is estimated to circulate to ninety percent of the active voters affected by the material error; or
     (ii) If there are no publications that meet the circulation requirement, send a letter to the active voters affected by the material error stating the correction; and
     (b) Post a correction of the material error on the election officer's web site if one is available.
     (2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Active voter" has the same meaning as in RCW 29A.08.615.
     (b) "Active voters affected by the material error" means active voters who are qualified to vote on the candidate or issue where the material error occurred.
     (c) "Material error" means anything that pertains to the nature or character of a candidate's identity or anything that would substantially change the meaning of a proposed measure.