SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1126

BYRepresentative Rayburn

Permitting double-sided ballot cards.

House Committe on Constitution, Elections & Ethics

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):April 1, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Walt Corneille (786-7452)

                  April 2, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, APRIL 1, 1987

BACKGROUND:

State law prohibits a ballot card from having printing on the back or any mark which would distinguish an individual voter's ballot card from any other from the precinct.  A two-sided ballot card has recently been developed, necessitating printing on both sides of a card.

SUMMARY:

At a primary or election in which the names of the candidates or ballot measures are printed on both sides of a ballot card, instructions shall be printed on each side of the card which clearly explain that the voter is entitled to vote for the candidates or measures on both sides of the ballot card.

Except where necessary to distinguish one ballot type from another in the same precinct, there shall be no identifying marks on a ballot card that would distinguish it from any other ballot card from the same precinct.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Darlene DeRosier, Washington State Auditor's Association; John Pearson, Secretary of State's Office