HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1285

Clarifying where declarations of

candidacy are filed.

Brief Title                               Hearing Date: 2/2/99

Reps.  D. Schmidt and McMorris            Staff:  Steve Lundin

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7127

BACKGROUND:

Declarations of candidacy are filed with the secretary of state for the following offices: the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and for the state legislature, court of appeals, and superior court if voters from more than a single county vote for that office.

Declarations of candidacy for any nonpartisan office, other than judicial offices or the director of a joint school district (one that is located in more than one county) are filed with the county auditor of the county where a majority of the registered voters of the district reside.

Declarations of candidacy for a joint school district (one that is located in more than one county) are filed withe the county auditor of the county designated for that school district by the state Board of Education as being the district belonging to that school district.

Declarations of candidacy for all other offices are filed with the county auditor of the county in which the particular local government is located.

SUMMARY:

A candidate for any state-wide office, the legislature, the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, court of appeals, or superior court of a joint superior court district (one that comprises two or more counties) has the option of filing a declaration of candidacy for that office with either the secretary of state or the county auditor of the county in which the candidate resides.

It is clarified where declarations of candidacy for other offices are filed.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

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