[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to creating an open primary with a public declaration of party affiliation; amending RCW 29.42.040 and 29.42.050; adding new sections to chapter 29.30 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 29.36 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 29.51 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 29.27 RCW; and repealing RCW 29.18.200.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 29.30 RCW to read as follows:

For the primary, a ballot will be created for each major political party containing only that major political party's candidates for partisan office, including candidates for precinct committee officer under RCW 29.42.040. In addition, a separate ballot containing minor party candidates and independent candidates for partisan office will be created.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 29.30 RCW to read as follows:

For the primary, all major political party ballots and the minor party and independent candidate ballot will contain the names of all candidates for nonpartisan office and any ballot measures that have been properly certified for the ballot.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 29.36 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Each major political party may require that the secretary of state adopt rules to provide for any declaration of party affiliation required by that party.

(2) The secretary of state shall adopt rules in accordance with this title and chapter 34.05 RCW to provide for any declaration required by a major political party and to provide for uniformity in primary ballot preparation and the recording of voter party affiliation.

Sec. 4. RCW 29.42.040 and 1990 c 59 s 104 are each amended to read as follows:

Any member of a major political party who is a registered voter in the precinct may upon payment of a fee of one dollar file his or her declaration of candidacy as prescribed under RCW 29.15.010 with the county auditor for the office of precinct committee officer of his or her party in that precinct. When elected the precinct committee officer shall serve so long as the committee officer remains an eligible voter in that precinct and until a successor has been elected at the next ensuing state ((~~general election~~)) primary in the even-numbered year.

Sec. 5. RCW 29.42.050 and 1991 c 363 s 34 are each amended to read as follows:

The statutory requirements for filing as a candidate at the primaries shall apply to candidates for precinct committee officer ((except that the filing period for this office alone shall be extended to and include the Friday immediately following the last day for political parties to fill vacancies in the ticket as provided by RCW 29.18.150, and the office shall not be voted upon at the primaries, but the names of all candidates must appear under the proper party and office designations on the ballot for the general November election for each even-numbered year)), and the ((~~one~~)) precinct committee officer candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected: PROVIDED, That to be declared elected, a candidate must receive at least ten percent of the number of votes cast for the candidate of the candidate's party receiving the greatest number of votes in the precinct. Any person elected to the office of precinct committee officer who has not filed a declaration of candidacy shall pay the fee of one dollar to the county auditor for a certificate of election. The term of office of precinct committee officer shall be for two years, commencing upon completion of the official canvass of votes by the county canvassing board of election returns. Should any vacancy occur in this office by reason of death, resignation, or disqualification of the incumbent, or because of failure to elect, the respective county chair of the county central committee shall be empowered to fill such vacancy by appointment: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That in legislative districts having a majority of its precincts in a county with a population of one million or more, such appointment shall be made only upon the recommendation of the legislative district chair: PROVIDED, That the person so appointed shall have the same qualifications as candidates when filing for election to such office for such precinct: PROVIDED FURTHER, That when a vacancy in the office of precinct committee officer exists because of failure to elect at a state ((~~general election~~)) primary, such vacancy shall not be filled until after the organization meeting of the county central committee and the new county chair selected as provided by RCW 29.42.030.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 29.51 RCW to read as follows:

(1) When a voter is signing the precinct list in order to cast a ballot at a primary, the precinct election officials shall allow the voter to select either a ballot for one of the major political parties or a ballot that includes minor political party and independent candidates. A voter may not cast more than one ballot.

(2) The precinct list will contain by each voter's name and address a list of signature boxes for each major political party and for the minor political party and independent candidate ballot. Next to each signature box will be any statement of party affiliation as submitted by the major political parties. No voter may receive a ballot before signing the declaration of party affiliation if required by the political party.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 29.27 RCW to read as follows:

At least forty-eight hours before the certification of election results, each precinct list detailing the party ballot that each voter selected must be sent by electronic facsimile to the state chair of each major political party.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. RCW 29.18.200 (Blanket primary authorized) and 1990 c 59 s 88 & 1965 c 9 s 29.18.200 are each repealed.