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HOUSE BILL NO. 1570
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State of Washington 51st Legislature 1989 Regular Session
By Representatives R. Fisher and McLean; by request of Secretary of State
Read first time 1/30/89 and referred to Committee on State Government.
AN ACT Relating to elections in optional code cities; and amending RCW 35A.12.040.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. Section 35A.12.040, chapter 119, Laws of 1967 ex. sess. as last amended by section 21, chapter 18, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 35A.12.040 are each amended to read as follows:
Officers
shall be elected at biennial municipal elections to be conducted as provided in
chapter 35A.29 RCW. The mayor and the councilmen shall be elected for four
year terms and until their successors are elected and qualified; except that at
any first election three councilmen in cities having seven councilmen, and two
councilmen in cities having five councilmen, shall be elected for two year
terms and the remaining councilmen shall be elected for four year terms. At
any first election upon reorganization, council members shall be elected as
provided in RCW 35A.02.050. Thereafter the requisite number of councilmen
shall be elected biennially as the terms of their predecessors expire and shall
serve for terms of four years. The positions to be filled on the city council
shall be designated by consecutive numbers and shall be dealt with as separate
offices for all election purposes, as provided in RCW 35A.29.105. ((In any
city which holds its first election under this title in the calendar year 1970,
candidates elected for two year terms shall hold office until their successors
are elected and qualified at the general municipal election to be held in
November, 1973 and candidates elected for four year terms shall hold office
until their successors are elected and qualified at the general municipal
election to be held in November, 1975.)) Election to positions on the
council shall be by majority vote from the city at large, unless provision is
made by charter or ordinance for election by wards. ((The city council
shall be the judge of the qualifications of its members and determine contested
elections of city officers, subject to review by certiorari as provided by law.))
The mayor and councilmen shall qualify by taking an oath or affirmation of
office and as may be provided by law, charter, or ordinance.