BILL REQ. #:  S-0533.2 

Read first time 01/29/09.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to voting rights in special districts; amending RCW 85.38.105; and repealing RCW 85.08.025 and 86.09.377.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 85.38.105 and 1991 c 349 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The owner of land located in a special district who is a qualified voter of the special district shall receive ((two)) one vote((s)) at any election.
     (2) If multiple undivided interests, other than community property interests, exist in a lot or parcel and no person owns a majority undivided interest, the owners of undivided interests at least equal to a majority interest may ((designate in writing:
     (a) Which owner is eligible to vote and may cast two votes; or
     (b) Which two owners are eligible to vote and may cast)) receive one vote each.
     (3) If land is owned as community property, each spouse is entitled to one vote if both spouses otherwise qualify to vote, unless one spouse designates in writing that the other spouse may cast both votes.
     (4) A corporation, partnership, or governmental entity shall designate((:
     (a))) a natural person to cast its ((two)) vote((s; or
     (b) Two natural persons to each cast one of its votes)).
     (((5) Except as provided in RCW 85.08.025 and 86.09.377, no owner of land may cast more than two votes or have more than two votes cast for him or her in a special district election.))

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 85.08.025 (Voting rights) and 1991 c 349 s 3 & 1985 c 396 s 21; and
     (2) RCW 86.09.377 (Voting rights) and 1991 c 349 s 4 & 1985 c 396 s 22.