Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Government Operations & Elections Committee |
HB 2750
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: Allowing a write-in candidate's name to be printed on a general election ballot under certain conditions.
Sponsors: Representatives Christian, Manweller, Muri, Zeiger and Parker.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/5/14
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
Provisions for Write-in Candidates.
Election law allows any person to file for an office as a write-in candidate. Write-in candidates may file a declaration of candidacy for the office, but are not required to do so. A person may not file as a write-in candidate under the following conditions:
the person attempting to file has filed as a write-in candidate for the same office or the person's name appeared on the ballot for the same office at the preceding primary;
the person attempting to file has already filed a valid write-in declaration for that primary or election;
the name of the person attempting to file already appears on the ballot as a candidate for another office, other than precinct committee officer; or
the office filed for is committee precinct officer.
The number of write-in votes cast for each office must be recorded and reported with the canvass for the election. A write-in vote for an individual candidate is not tabulated unless:
the difference between the number of votes cast for the two candidates receiving the most votes and the write-in candidate is less than the total number of write-in votes for the office; or
a manual recount is conducted for that office.
Primary Election.
For nonpartisan office, no primary is held if no more than two candidates file for the office. A primary must be held for partisan office if one or more candidates file for the office.
Summary of Bill:
A write-in candidate's name may appear on the general election ballot if a primary for the office was not held and the candidate has filed a declaration of candidacy, paid the required filing fee, and filed a petition with the appropriate elections official no later than 14 days after the date of the primary election. The petition must contain signatures of registered voters of the district for the office being sought equal to one percent of the total number of votes cast for the office in the previous general election for that office. The handwriting for the signatures on the petition must match the handwriting of the signature on the registration file in order for the signatures to be counted.
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.