FINAL BILL REPORT

2SHB 1195

C 195 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning primaries.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Wylie, Buys, Hunt, Van De Wege, Appleton, Orwall, Ryu and Jinkins).

House Committee on Government Operations & Elections

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

With limited exceptions, the names of all candidates who file a declaration of candidacy appear on the primary ballot. If a special election is required in an odd-numbered year to fill a vacancy in any office that is scheduled to be voted upon for a full term in an even-numbered year, no primary election is held if no more than two candidates have filed a declaration of candidacy for the office. No primary is held for any single position in any city, town, district, or district court if, after the last day allowed for candidates to withdraw, no more than two candidates have filed for the same position.

Summary:

The provision prohibiting a primary election in an odd-numbered year to fill a vacancy in any office that is scheduled to be voted upon for a full term in an even-numbered year is repealed. The provision specifying that no primary be held for any city, town, district, or district court position if no more than two candidates file for the office is expanded to include all nonpartisan offices.

Votes on Final Passage: