SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5942

BYSenator Madsen

Replacing the requirement for a primary under certain conditions.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 1, 1989

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754)

AS OF MARCH 1, 1989

BACKGROUND:

When a vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered year for an unexpired term, no September primary is required in that year if no more than one candidate has filed from each party or no more than two candidates have filed for a single nonpartisan office. Only the general election is required in November.  Both a September primary and a November general election are required in the even-numbered year for the new full term of such an office. It has been suggested that the September primary should be reinstated for the short term.

SUMMARY:

The section of law allowing for no September primary election to fill a vacancy in an odd-numbered year for an unexpired term is repealed.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested