HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 1040

Determining order of candidates on ballots                Public Hrg: 1/21/97 

Brief Title

Reps. D. Schmidt/Scott                                        Staff Contact: B. Mauldin

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7093

BACKGROUND:

The filing officer determines by lot the order of candidates on the ballot for primary elections.  The same order is used on all sample and absentee ballots. 

On primary ballots, the order of candidates for federal, state, and county partisan offices, for the office of superintendent of public instruction, and for judicial offices, is rotated.  Each candidate=s name appears in every possible position for the office.  An equal number of ballots is printed with each candidate order.

SUMMARY:

The order of candidates= names on all primary ballots are no longer rotated.  The filing officer determines the order of candidates= names by lot.

FISCAL NOTE:  Requested 1/21/97.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.