SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5042

BYSenator DeJarnatt

Requiring party designation of paper ballot write-in candidates.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1987

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

AS OF JANUARY 23, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Persons voting for write-in candidates in a state general election must indicate the political party affiliation of their candidate when voting machines or voting devices and ballot cards are used.  Failure to indicate party affiliation invalidates the vote.  In addition, only those votes constituting the greatest number of a single party designation are valid for a write-in candidate.

This restriction does not apply when paper ballots (the only other means of voting commonly in use) are used in a state general election.  Party affiliation need not be indicated, and all write-in votes are valid.

SUMMARY:

Political party affiliation must be indicated for write-in candidates when paper ballots are used in state general elections.  In addition, only those votes constituting the greatest number of a single party designation are valid for paper ballot write-in candidates.

Fiscal Note:      none requested