Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 1143

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: Making the office of the county auditor a nonpartisan office.

Sponsors: Representative Appleton.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Makes the office of the county auditor a nonpartisan office.

Hearing Date: 1/18/11

Staff: Miranda Leskinen (786-7291) and Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

County auditors are elected officials who fulfill an array of duties, some of which are required by statute and include:

Excepting judicial offices and offices in home rule charter counties that provide otherwise all county offices, including the office of the county auditor, are partisan offices. A partisan office is defined as one in which candidates may indicate a political party preference and have that preference listed next to his or her name on primary and general election ballots. In contrast, candidates for nonpartisan offices do not indicate a political party preference.

Current law requires that a certain order be followed in the placement of elected offices and ballot issues on primary and election ballots.

Summary of Bill:

The office of the county auditor is designated as a nonpartisan county office. Ballot position requirements are modified to reflect this designation.

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.