PROPOSED RULES
Supplemental Notice to WSR 99-18-044.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 99-10-106.
Title of Rule: Political party abbreviations.
Purpose: To create a framework for designating political party abbreviations to be placed on the ballot.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 29.04.210.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 29.30.020.
Summary: The Secretary of State shall certify the abbreviations for political party abbreviations to be printed on all primary and election ballots.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: To ensure ballot uniformity.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Bill Huennekens, Office of the Secretary of State, (360) 902-4169; Implementation and Enforcement: Gary McIntosh, Office of the Secretary of State, (360) 902-4167.
Name of Proponent: Office of the Secretary of State, public.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: It requires the Secretary of State to certify abbreviations for political party designations on the primary and election ballots. Its purpose and anticipated effect is to ensure ballot uniformity.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: It adds language requiring the Secretary of State to certify political party abbreviations for placement on the primary and election ballots.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No impact on small business.
Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. This rule adoption falls under the exception provided in RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(ii).
Hearing Location: 120 East Union Avenue, Room 106, Olympia, WA 98504, on April 26, at 10:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Bill Huennekens by April 21, 2000, TDD (800) 422-8683.
Submit Written Comments to: Bill Huennekens, P.O. Box 40229, Olympia, WA 98908 [98504]-0229, fax (360) 902-5629, by April 21, 2000.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 5, 2000.
March 8, 2000
Donald F. Whiting
Assistant Secretary of State
OTS-3250.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 97-21-045, filed 10/13/97,
effective 11/13/97)
WAC 434-230-170
Electronic voting devices -- Ballot form.
Each office on the ballot shall be identified, along with a statement designating how many candidates are to be voted on for such office (e.g., vote for . . . . . , with the words, "one," "two," or a spelled number). The office term shall be included on the ballot if such term is other than a full term (e.g., short/full term, two-year unexpired term, etc.). Each office shall be listed on the ballot in the manner prescribed by law or administrative rule. Following the office designation the names of all candidates for that position shall be listed together with political party designation certified by the secretary of state as provided in RCW 29.27.020 or the word "nonpartisan," or "NP" as applicable. Each office listed on the ballot shall be separated by a bold line. In a year in which a President of the United States is to be elected, the names of all candidates for President and Vice-President for each party shall be grouped together. Each group shall be enclosed in brackets with one vote response position for each party, where the voter may indicate their choice.
Candidate names shall be printed in a type style and point size which is easily read. If a candidate's name exceeds the space provided, the election official shall take whatever steps necessary to place the name on the ballot in a manner which is readable. These steps may include using a smaller point size, a different type style, or setting the name in upper/lower case letters, rather than upper case, if appropriate.
Each position, with the candidates running for that office, shall be clearly delineated from the following one by a bold line. Following each listing of candidates shall be a blank space for writing in the name of any candidate, if desired, on the ballot card, or a write-in space provided on the ballot envelope.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. 97-21-045, recodified as § 434-230-170, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080 and 29.04.210. 92-10-038, § 434-30-170, filed 5/4/92, effective 6/4/92.]
Following ballot measures, each office to be elected shall be identified along with a statement designating how many candidates are to be voted on for such office (e.g., vote for . . . . . , with the words, "one," "two," or a spelled number). Office term shall be included on the ballot if such term is other than a full term (e.g., short/full term, two-year unexpired term, etc.). Offices shall be arranged in the manner described in RCW 29.30.020. Immediately following shall be the names of all candidates for that position, together with the political party designation certified by the secretary of state as provided in RCW 29.27.020 or the word "nonpartisan" or "NP." Each office to be elected shall be separated by a bold line. In a year in which a President of the United States is to be elected, the names of all candidates for President and Vice-President for each party shall be grouped together. Each group shall be enclosed in brackets with a single square to either the left or right in which the voter indicates their choice.
Candidates names shall be printed in a type style and point size which is easily read. If a candidate's name exceeds the space provided, the election official shall take whatever steps necessary to place the name on the ballot in a manner which is readable. These steps may include using a smaller point size, a different type style, or setting the name in upper/lower case letters, rather than upper case, if appropriate.
There shall be a box at either the left or right of the name of each candidate so that a voter may clearly indicate the candidate or candidates for whom they wish to cast their vote.
Immediately following the list of candidates for a given position shall appear a blank space or spaces for writing in the name of a candidate, followed by a box to the right of the blank space.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. 97-21-045, recodified as § 434-230-210, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080 and 29.04.210. 92-10-038, § 434-30-210, filed 5/4/92, effective 6/4/92.]
The party designations certified by the secretary of state in RCW 29.27.020 for primary elections shall be used on all general election ballots.
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