SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5961

BYSenator Halsan

Establishing a nonbinding presidential primary with single-party ballots.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 5, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5961 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; DeJarnatt, Pullen, Zimmerman.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                  March 6, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 9, 1987

Senate Staff:Cayan Topacio (786-7433)

AS OF MARCH 9, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In presidential election years, delegates from this state to the national nominating conventions of the major political parties are selected through the caucus and convention systems of the parties.  In contrast, approximately two-thirds of the states have established presidential primary elections.

It is suggested that Washington should conduct a nonbinding presidential preference primary.

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 5961 was introduced by title only.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A nonbinding presidential preference primary will be held on the fourth Tuesday of March in each presidential election year.  At the primary, each voter may request a ballot for a major political party and vote for one presidential candidate on that ballot.

Candidates' names will be printed on the ballot only if they have filed a declaration of candidacy in a week-long filing period in December of the previous year.  A filing fee of $10,000 must accompany the declaration of candidacy.

The names of candidates that are to appear on the ballots will be certified to each county auditor by the Secretary of State at least 42 days before the primary.  The primary will be conducted and canvassed in the same manner as primaries for partisan state offices.  The Secretary of State may adopt rules to facilitate the operation of the primary.

The state will assume a prorated share of the cost of the nonbinding presidential primary.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS: No one