Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee |
HB 2346
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: Increasing the word count for voters' pamphlet statements submitted by state representative candidates.
Sponsors: Representatives Young, Walsh, Shewmake and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/12/20
Staff: Carrington Skinner (786-7192).
Background:
The Secretary of State (Secretary) must print and distribute voters' pamphlets when there is at least one statewide measure or office scheduled to appear on the general election ballot. These pamphlets must be distributed to each household in the state, to public libraries, and any other location the Secretary deems appropriate. The voters' pamphlet must contain certain information, which includes:
information about measures for an advisory vote of the people and ballot measures initiated by or referred to the voters for their approval or rejection;
statements from candidates for certain offices; and
contact information for the Public Disclosure Commission and for major political parties.
The maximum number of words for statements submitted by state representative candidates to be included in voters' pamphlets is 100 words. The total word count for candidates for state senator, judge of superior court, judge of the Court of Appeals, justice of the Supreme Court, and all statewide offices except Governor, is 200 words. Candidates for president and vice president, United States senator, United States representative, and Governor are allotted 300 words in voters' pamphlets. The Secretary must allocate space in the pamphlet based on the number of candidates or nominees for each office.
Summary of Bill:
The maximum number of words for state representative candidate statements in voters' pamphlets is 200 words.
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.