Subject of Possible Rule Making: Initiative and referenda petitions and depositing ballots.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 29A.04.611.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules regarding the authority to withdraw one's signature from an initiative or referenda petition will be provided to develop one process statewide. Additionally, a rule will be enacted to address staffing when ballots are deposited at the auditor's office.

     Process for Developing New Rule:       Negotiated rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tami Neilson, Elections Division, P.O. Box 40220, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 902-4182, fax (360) 586-5629.

January 17, 2006

Steve Excell

Assistant Secretary

of State