SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1226

BYRepresentatives R. Fisher, McLean, Anderson and Miller; by request of Secretary of State

Requiring lists of electors and presidential candidates.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 21, 1989; February 14, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Patrick.

Senate Staff:Rod McAulay (786-7754)

                  February 14, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 14, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Each political party nominating candidates for president and vice president is required, under current state law, to nominate presidential electors and file certificates of nomination with the Secretary of State.  The statute, however, does not provide a clear procedure for the national political parties to notify the state of their nominees.

SUMMARY:

Each political party nominating candidates for president and vice president of the United States must file with the Secretary of State a list of the presidential electors not later than ten days after the adjournment of the convention at which the candidates were nominated.  The list must be certified by the chair of the state committee of the major political party or the presiding officer of the minor party or the independent candidate nominating convention.

The presiding officer of a nominating convention of a major political party must certify to the secretary the names of the candidates nominated for president and vice president, as they are to appear on the ballot, and the addresses of the candidates.  The secretary of the convention must attest to the certification. The certification must be filed not later than ten days after the adjournment of the nominating convention.

Minor political parties and independent candidate nominating conventions must select their presidential electors in accordance with party or convention rules.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: John Pearson, Office of Secretary of State