FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5507

C 283 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Increasing transparency of donors to candidates and ballot measures.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Billig, Benton, Rolfes, Rivers, Hatfield, Harper, Ranker, Hasegawa, Frockt, Schlicher, Smith, Fraser, Sheldon, Roach, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Shin, Murray, McAuliffe, Kline and Conway).

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

House Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background: The Secretary of State must print and distribute a voters' pamphlet to each household in the state, public libraries, and other locations whenever a statewide ballot measure or office is scheduled to appear on the general election ballot. The voters' pamphlet must contain the following information:

• information about ballot measures and advisory vote measures;

• candidate statements, if submitted;

• contact information for the Public Disclosure Commission;

• contact information for the major political parties;

• a statement explaining the amendatory style used in ballot measures; and

• any additional information required by law or that the Secretary of State deems informative to voters.

The top of each ballot must contain clear and concise instructions directing the voter on how to mark their ballot, including how to write in a vote. Ballots must contain a clear delineation between the instructions and the candidates and measures that appear on the ballot.

Summary: The following statement must be included in the ballot instructions and in a prominent position in the voters' pamphlet: "For a list of the people and organizations that donated to state and local government candidates and ballot measure campaigns, visit www.pdc.wa.gov." The Secretary of State may substitute such language as is necessary for accuracy and clarity. The county auditor or local election official, at their discretion, may instead print the statement in a prominent position on the ballot envelope and in the materials that accompany the ballot, rather than on the ballot itself.

Votes on Final Passage: