AN ACT Relating to the scheduling of general and special elections; amending RCW 29.13.010 and 29.13.047; and repealing RCW 29.13.075.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 29.13.010, chapter 9, Laws of 1965 as last amended by section 1, chapter 3, Laws of 1980 and RCW 29.13.010 are each amended to read as follows:

((~~All state, county, city, town, and district~~)) A state-wide general election((s)) for ((~~the election of~~)) federal, state, legislative, judicial, county, ((~~city, town,~~)) and public utility district((~~, and precinct~~)) officers((,)) and for the submission ((~~to the voters of the state, county, city, town, or district~~)) of any state measure for ((~~their~~)) adoption ((~~and approval~~)) or rejection((,)) shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November((,)) in ((~~the~~)) each even-numbered year ((~~in which they may be called. A state-wide general election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November of each year: PROVIDED, That the state-wide~~)). General elections shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in each odd-numbered year((~~s shall be limited to (1)~~)) for city, town, and district ((general elections as provided for in RCW 29.13.020 as now or hereafter amended, or as otherwise provided by law; (2) the election of federal officers for the remainder of any unexpired terms in the membership of either branch of the congress of the United States; (3) the election of state and county officers for the remainder of any unexpired terms of offices created by or whose duties are described in Article II, section 15, Article III, sections 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, and Article IV, sections 3 and 5 of the state Constitution and RCW 2.06.080; (4))) officers and the election of county officers in any county governed by a charter containing provisions calling for county general ((~~county~~)) elections ((at this time; and (5) the approval or rejection of state measures, including proposed constitutional amendments, matters pertaining to any proposed constitutional convention, initiative measures and referendum measures proposed by the electorate, referendum bills, and any other matter provided by the legislature for submission to the electorate: PROVIDED FURTHER, That)) in November of each odd-numbered year. This section shall not ((~~be construed as fixing the time for holding primary elections,~~)) apply to primaries or to elections for the recall of any elective public officer((: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That the county legislative authority may, if they deem an emergency to exist, call a special county election by presenting a resolution to the county auditor at least forty-five days prior to the proposed election date. A special election called by the county legislative authority shall be held on one of the following dates as decided by such governing body:

~~(a) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in February;~~

(b) The second Tuesday in March, except that if a state-wide political party caucus by a major political party is scheduled on the second Tuesday, then a special election may not be held on such date but may be held on the third Tuesday in March;

~~(c) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in April;~~

~~(d) The third Tuesday in May;~~

~~(e) The day of the primary as specified by RCW 29.13.070; or~~

~~(f) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.~~

In addition to the dates set forth in (a) through (f) above, a special election to validate an excess levy or bond issue may be called at any time to meet the needs resulting from failure of a county to pass a special levy for the first time or from fire, flood, earthquake, or other act of God. Such county special election shall be noticed and conducted in the manner provided by law)) or to district elections at which the ownership of property is a prerequisite to voting.

This section ((~~shall~~)) supersedes the provisions of any and all other statutes, whether general or special in nature, having different dates for ((~~such~~)) city, town, and district elections((,)). The purpose of this section ((~~being~~)) is to establish mandatory dates for holding general elections, except for those elections held pursuant to a home-rule charter adopted under Article XI, section 4 of the state Constitution.

Sec. 2. Section 2, chapter 4, Laws of 1973 as last amended by section 2, chapter 45, Laws of 1985 and RCW 29.13.047 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Whenever state officers or measures are voted upon at a state primary or general election held ((~~in an odd-numbered year~~)) under RCW 29.13.010, the state of Washington shall assume a prorated share of the costs of that state primary or general election.

(2) Whenever a primary or vacancy election is held to fill a vacancy in the position of United States senator or United States representative under chapter 29.68 RCW, the state of Washington shall assume a prorated share of the costs of that primary or vacancy election.

(3) The county auditor shall apportion the state's share of these expenses when prorating election costs under RCW 29.13.045 and shall file such expense claims with the secretary of state.

(4) The secretary of state shall include in his or her biennial budget requests sufficient funds to carry out this section. Reimbursements for election costs shall be from appropriations specifically provided by law for that purpose.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Section 3, chapter 4, Laws of 1973 and RCW 29.13.075 are each repealed.