Read first time 01/21/2004.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to a qualifying primary; amending RCW 29A.04.085, 29A.04.127, 29A.04.310, 29A.20.020, 29A.20.120, 29A.20.140, 29A.20.150, 29A.20.160, 29A.20.170, 29A.20.180, 29A.20.190, 29A.24.030, 29A.24.080, 29A.24.090, 29A.24.100, 29A.24.110, 29A.24.140, 29A.24.150, 29A.24.160, 29A.24.170, 29A.24.180, 29A.24.190, 29A.24.310, 29A.28.040, 29A.28.060, 29A.32.030, 29A.36.010, 29A.36.070, 29A.36.100, 29A.36.170, 29A.36.200, 29A.52.010, 29A.52.110, 29A.52.230, 29A.52.320, 29A.52.350, 29A.60.020, 29A.60.220, 29A.64.010, 29A.64.020, 29A.64.040, 29A.64.060, 29A.64.080, 29A.68.010, 29A.80.010, 29A.84.260, 29A.84.310, 29A.84.710, and 42.17.020; reenacting and amending RCW 29A.32.120; adding new sections to chapter 29A.52 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.04 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.28 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 29A.12 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.20 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.24 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.32 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.36 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.40 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.44 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.60 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.80 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.64 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 29A.68 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.84 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 29A.04.157, 29A.20.110, 29A.20.130, 29A.20.200, 29A.24.200, 29A.24.210, 29A.28.010, 29A.28.020, 29A.36.190, 29A.52.130, 29A.04.903, 29A.04.007, 29A.04.085, 29A.04.127, 29A.04.215, 29A.04.310, 29A.04.320, 29A.04.610, 29A.12.100, 29A.20.020, 29A.20.120, 29A.20.140, 29A.20.150, 29A.20.160, 29A.20.170, 29A.20.180, 29A.20.190, 29A.24.030, 29A.24.080, 29A.24.090, 29A.24.100, 29A.24.110, 29A.24.130, 29A.24.140, 29A.24.150, 29A.24.160, 29A.24.170, 29A.24.180, 29A.24.190, 29A.24.310, 29A.28.040, 29A.28.060, 29A.28.070, 29A.32.030, 29A.32.120, 29A.32.240, 29A.36.010, 29A.36.070, 29A.36.100, 29A.36.110, 29A.36.120, 29A.36.130, 29A.36.140, 29A.36.150, 29A.36.160, 29A.36.170, 29A.36.200, 29A.40.060, 29A.40.090, 29A.44.200, 29A.44.220, 29A.44.230, 29A.52.010, 29A.52.110, 29A.52.120, 29A.52.230, 29A.52.310, 29A.52.320, 29A.52.350, 29A.60.020, 29A.60.220, 29A.64.010, 29A.64.020, 29A.64.040, 29A.64.060, 29A.64.080, 29A.68.010, 29A.80.010, 29A.80.040, 29A.80.050, 29A.80.060, 29A.84.260, 29A.84.310, and 29A.84.710; prescribing penalties; providing a contingent effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) This act may be known and cited as the Qualifying Primary Act.
     (2) The purpose of any primary held in this state is to qualify candidates to appear on the general election ballot. Primary elections do not function as a procedure to determine the nominees of political parties. The sole purpose of allowing candidates to identify a political party preference is to provide to voters a brief description of each candidate's political philosophy, which the voters may consider when casting their votes at a primary or general election. In a primary election, each voter, regardless of party affiliation, may vote for any candidate listed on the ballot, and the two candidates who receive the most votes, also known as the top two vote getters, and who receive at least one percent of the total votes cast for that office, advance to the general election. Primary election voters are not choosing a party's nominee. A qualifying primary ensures more choice, greater participation, increased privacy, and a sense of fairness for the voters.
     (3) The provisions of this title relating to primaries must be liberally construed to further the following interests:
     (a) The legislature finds that the process of determining which candidates will appear on the general election ballot or be elected to office is a public process, in which all voters must be permitted to participate. The legislature further finds that it is not in the public interest to expend public funds on an election procedure that limits the rights of voters by restricting their ability to participate based on the party affiliation, if any, of the voters or the candidates, or that requires voters to publicly declare an affiliation with a political party;
     (b) All qualified registered voters of the state of Washington should be permitted to participate in all meaningful stages of the process for qualifying candidates to appear on the general election ballot by voting for the candidates of their choice in the districts and jurisdictions where they are eligible to vote; and
     (c) No registered voter of the state of Washington should be required to divulge to any public or private entity his or her party affiliation, if any, as a prerequisite to voting.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The rights of Washington voters are protected by its Constitution and laws and include the following fundamental rights:
     (1) The right of qualified voters to vote at all elections;
     (2) The right of absolute secrecy of the vote. No voter may be required to disclose political faith or adherence in order to vote;
     (3) The right to cast a vote for any candidate for each office without any limitation based on party preference or affiliation, of either the voter or the candidate.

Sec. 3   RCW 29A.04.085 and 2003 c 111 s 115 are each amended to read as follows:
     "Major political party" means a political party ((of which at least one nominee for president, vice president, United States senator, or a statewide office received at least five percent of the total vote cast at the last preceding state general election in an even-numbered year. A political party qualifying as a major political party under this section retains such status until the next even-year election at which a candidate of that party does not achieve at least five percent of the vote for one of the previously specified offices. If none of these offices appear on the ballot in an even-year general election, the major party retains its status as a major party through that election)) identified on the declaration of candidacy of at least one candidate for statewide office who received at least five percent of the total votes cast for that office at the last primary or general election in a year that the office of governor appeared on the ballot. Once qualified, a major political party retains such status until the next primary or general election in a year that the office of governor appears on the ballot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW to read as follows:
     "Partisan office" means an office for which a candidate may identify a political philosophy under RCW 29A.24.030(3), and is limited to the following offices:
     (1) United States senator and representative;
     (2) All state offices except (a) judicial offices and (b) the office of superintendent of public instruction;
     (3) All county offices except (a) judicial offices and (b) those offices where a county home rule charter provides otherwise.

Sec. 5   RCW 29A.04.127 and 2003 c 111 s 122 are each amended to read as follows:
     "Primary" ((or "primary election")) means a statutory qualifying procedure ((for nominating candidates to public office at the polls)) in which each registered voter eligible to vote in the district or jurisdiction is permitted to cast a vote for his or her preferred candidate for each office appearing on the ballot, without any limitation based on party preference or affiliation on the part of the voter or the candidate, with the result that not more than two candidates for each office qualify to appear on the general election ballot.

Sec. 6   RCW 29A.04.310 and 2003 c 111 s 143 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((Nominating)) Qualifying primaries for general elections to be held in November must be held on the third Tuesday of the preceding September or on the seventh Tuesday immediately preceding such general election, whichever occurs first.

Sec. 7   RCW 29A.20.020 and 2003 c 111 s 502 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A person filing a declaration of candidacy for an office shall, at the time of filing, be a registered voter and possess the qualifications specified by law for persons who may be elected to the office.
     (2) Excluding the office of precinct committee officer or a temporary elected position such as a charter review board member or freeholder, no person may file for more than one office.
     (3) The name of a candidate for an office shall not appear on a ballot for that office unless, except as provided in RCW 3.46.067 and 3.50.057, the candidate is, at the time the candidate's declaration of candidacy is filed, properly registered to vote in the geographic area represented by the office. For the purposes of this section, each geographic area in which registered voters may cast ballots for an office is represented by that office. If a person elected to an office must be ((nominated)) qualified from a district or similar division of the geographic area represented by the office, the name of a candidate for the office shall not appear on a primary ballot for that office unless the candidate is, at the time the candidate's declaration of candidacy is filed, properly registered to vote in that district or division. The officer with whom declarations of candidacy must be filed under this title shall review each such declaration filed regarding compliance with this subsection.
     (4) ((This section does not apply to the office of a member of the United States Congress.)) The requirements of voter registration and residence within the geographic area of a district do not apply to candidates for congressional office. Qualifications for United States Congress are specified in the United States Constitution.

Sec. 8   RCW 29A.20.120 and 2003 c 111 s 506 are each amended to read as follows:
     (((1) Any nomination of a candidate for partisan public office by other than a major political party may be made only: (a) In a convention held not earlier than the last Saturday in June and not later than the first Saturday in July or during any of the seven days immediately preceding the first day for filing declarations of candidacy as fixed in accordance with RCW 29A.28.040; (b) as provided by RCW 29A.60.020; or (c) as otherwise provided in this section.
     (2))) Nominations of candidates for president and vice president of the United States other than by a major political party ((may)) must be made ((either at a convention conducted under subsection (1) of this section, or)) at a ((similar)) convention ((taking place)) to be held not earlier than the first Sunday in July and not later than seventy days before the general election. ((Conventions held during this time period may not nominate candidates for any public office other than president and vice president of the United States, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
     (3) If a special filing period for a partisan office is opened under RCW 29A.24.210, candidates of minor political parties and independent candidates may file for office during that special filing period. The names of those candidates may not appear on the ballot unless they are nominated by convention held no later than five days after the close of the special filing period and a certificate of nomination is filed with the filing officer no later than three days after the convention. The requirements of RCW 29A.20.130 do not apply to such a convention. If primary ballots or a voters' pamphlet are ordered to be printed before the deadline for submitting the certificate of nomination and the certificate has not been filed, then the candidate's name will be included but may not appear on the general election ballot unless the certificate is timely filed and the candidate otherwise qualifies to appear on that ballot.
     (4) A minor political party may hold more than one convention but in no case shall any such party nominate more than one candidate for any one partisan public office or position. For the purpose of nominating candidates for the offices of president and vice president, United States senator, or a statewide office, a minor party or independent candidate holding multiple conventions may add together the number of signatures of different individuals from each convention obtained in support of the candidate or candidates in order to obtain the number required by RCW 29A.20.140. For all other offices for which nominations are made, signatures of the requisite number of registered voters must be obtained at a single convention.))

Sec. 9   RCW 29A.20.140 and 2003 c 111 s 508 are each amended to read as follows:
     (((1) To be valid, a convention must be attended by at least twenty-five registered voters.
     (2))) In order to nominate candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States, ((United States senator, or any statewide office,)) a nominating convention shall obtain and submit to the filing officer the signatures of at least two hundred registered voters of the state of Washington. ((In order to nominate candidates for any other office, a nominating convention shall obtain and submit to the filing officer the signatures of twenty-five persons who are registered to vote in the jurisdiction of the office for which the nominations are made.))

Sec. 10   RCW 29A.20.150 and 2003 c 111 s 509 are each amended to read as follows:
     A nominating petition submitted under this chapter shall clearly identify the name of the minor party or independent candidate ((convention as it appears on the certificate of nomination as required by RCW 29A.20.160(3))). The petition shall also contain a statement that the person signing the petition is a registered voter of the state of Washington and shall have a space for the voter to sign his or her name and to print his or her name and address. ((No person may sign more than one nominating petition under this chapter for an office for a primary or election.)) The nominating petition must be submitted to the secretary of state not later than ten days after adjournment of the convention.

Sec. 11   RCW 29A.20.160 and 2003 c 111 s 510 are each amended to read as follows:
     A certificate evidencing nominations of candidates for the offices of president and vice president made at a convention must:
     (1) Be in writing;
     (2) Contain the name of each person nominated((, his or her residence, and the office for which he or she is named, and if the nomination is)) for the offices of president and vice president of the United States, their addresses, and a sworn statement from both nominees giving their consent to the nomination;
     (3) Identify the minor political party or the independent candidate on whose behalf the convention was held;
     (4) Be verified by the oath of the presiding officer and secretary;
     (5) Be accompanied by a nominating petition or petitions bearing the signatures and addresses of registered voters equal in number to that required by RCW 29A.20.140;
     (6) Contain proof of publication of the notice of calling the convention; and
     (7) Be submitted to the ((appropriate filing officer)) secretary of state not later than one week following the adjournment of the convention at which the nominations were made. ((If the nominations are made only for offices whose jurisdiction is entirely within one county, the certificate and nominating petitions must be filed with the county auditor. If a minor party or independent candidate convention nominates any candidates for offices whose jurisdiction encompasses more than one county, all nominating petitions and the convention certificates must be filed with the secretary of state.))

Sec. 12   RCW 29A.20.170 and 2003 c 111 s 511 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If two or more valid certificates of nomination are filed purporting to nominate different candidates for ((the same position)) president and vice president using the same party name, the filing officer must give effect to both certificates. If conflicting claims to the party name are not resolved either by mutual agreement or by a judicial determination of the right to the name, the candidates must be treated as independent candidates. Disputes over the right to the name must not be permitted to delay the printing of either ballots or a voters' pamphlet. ((Other candidates nominated by the same conventions may continue to use the partisan affiliation unless a court of competent jurisdiction directs otherwise.))
     (2) A person affected may petition the superior court of the county in which the filing officer is located for a judicial determination of the right to the name of a minor political party, either before or after documents are filed with the filing officer. The court shall resolve the conflict between competing claims to the use of the same party name according to the following principles: (a) The prior established public use of the name during previous elections by a party composed of or led by the same individuals or individuals in documented succession; (b) prior established public use of the name earlier in the same election cycle; (c) ((the nomination of a more complete slate of candidates for a number of offices or in a number of different regions of the state; (d))) documented affiliation with a national or statewide party organization with an established use of the name; (((e))) (d) the first date of filing of a certificate of nomination; and (((f))) (e) such other indicia of an established right to use of the name as the court may deem relevant. ((If more than one filing officer is involved, and one of them is the secretary of state, the petition must be filed in the superior court for Thurston county.)) Upon resolving the conflict between competing claims, the court may also address any ballot designation for the candidate who does not prevail.

Sec. 13   RCW 29A.20.180 and 2003 c 111 s 512 are each amended to read as follows:
     A minor political party or independent candidate convention nominating candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States shall, not later than ten days after the adjournment of the convention, submit a list of presidential electors to the office of the secretary of state. The list shall contain the names and the mailing addresses of the persons selected and shall be verified by the ((presiding officer of the convention)) candidates named on the nominating petition.

Sec. 14   RCW 29A.20.190 and 2003 c 111 s 513 are each amended to read as follows:
     Upon the receipt of the ((certificate of nomination)) nominating petition, the ((officer with whom it is filed shall check the certificate and)) secretary of state shall canvass the signatures ((on the accompanying nominating petitions to determine if the requirements of RCW 29A.20.140 have been met)). Once the determination of the sufficiency of the petitions has been made, the filing officer shall notify the ((presiding officer of the convention)) candidates and any other persons requesting the notification((, of his or her decision regarding the sufficiency of the certificate or the nominating petitions)). Any appeal regarding the filing officer's determination must be filed with the superior court of the county in which the certificate or petitions were filed not later than five days from the date the determination is made, and shall be heard and finally disposed of by the court within five days of the filing. Nominating petitions shall not be available for public inspection or copying.

Sec. 15   RCW 29A.24.030 and 2003 c 111 s 603 are each amended to read as follows:
     A candidate who desires to have his or her name printed on the ballot for election to an office other than president of the United States, vice president of the United States, or an office for which ownership of property is a prerequisite to voting shall complete and file a declaration of candidacy. The secretary of state shall adopt, by rule, a declaration of candidacy form for the office of precinct committee officer and a separate standard form for candidates for all other offices filing under this chapter. Included on the standard form shall be:
     (1) A place for the candidate to declare that he or she is a registered voter within the jurisdiction of the office for which he or she is filing, and the address at which he or she is registered;
     (2) A place for the candidate to indicate the position for which he or she is filing;
     (3) For those offices defined in section 4 of this act only, a place for the candidate to ((indicate a party designation, if applicable)) identify a major or minor political party, if any, the candidate regards as best approximating his or her own political philosophy. No candidate may list more than one political party. Nothing in this indication of political philosophy may be construed as denoting an endorsement or nomination by that party. The sole purpose of allowing candidates to identify a political party preference is to provide to voters a brief description of each candidate's political philosophy, which the voters may consider when casting their votes at a primary or general election;
     (4) A place for the candidate to indicate the amount of the filing fee accompanying the declaration of candidacy or for the candidate to indicate that he or she is filing a ((nominating)) petition in lieu of the filing fee under RCW 29A.24.090;
     (5) A place for the candidate to sign the declaration of candidacy, stating that the information provided on the form is true and swearing or affirming that he or she will support the Constitution and laws of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington.
     In the case of a declaration of candidacy filed electronically, submission of the form constitutes agreement that the information provided with the filing is true, that he or she will support the Constitutions and laws of the United States and the state of Washington, and that he or she agrees to electronic payment of the filing fee established in RCW 29A.24.090.
     The secretary of state may require any other information on the form he or she deems appropriate to facilitate the filing process.

Sec. 16   RCW 29A.24.080 and 2003 c 111 s 608 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any candidate may mail his or her declaration of candidacy for an office to the filing officer. Such declarations of candidacy shall be processed by the filing officer in the following manner:
     (1) Any declaration received by the filing officer by mail before the tenth business day immediately preceding the first day for candidates to file for office shall be returned to the candidate submitting it, together with a notification that the declaration of candidacy was received too early to be processed. The candidate shall then be permitted to resubmit his or her declaration of candidacy during the filing period.
     (2) Any properly executed declaration of candidacy received by mail on or after the tenth business day immediately preceding the first day for candidates to file for office and before the close of business on the last day of the filing period shall be included with filings made in person during the filing period. In primaries for partisan office and judicial ((elections)) offices the filing officer shall determine by lot the order in which the names of those candidates shall appear upon sample and absentee primary ballots.
     (3) Any declaration of candidacy received by the filing officer after the close of business on the last day for candidates to file for office shall be rejected and returned to the candidate attempting to file it.

Sec. 17   RCW 29A.24.090 and 2003 c 111 s 609 are each amended to read as follows:
     A filing fee of one dollar shall accompany each declaration of candidacy for precinct committee officer; a filing fee of ten dollars shall accompany the declaration of candidacy for any office with a fixed annual salary of one thousand dollars or less; a filing fee equal to one percent of the annual salary of the office at the time of filing shall accompany the declaration of candidacy for any office with a fixed annual salary of more than one thousand dollars per annum. No filing fee need accompany a declaration of candidacy for any office for which compensation is on a per diem or per meeting attended basis.
     A candidate who lacks sufficient assets or income at the time of filing to pay the filing fee required by this section shall submit with his or her declaration of candidacy a ((nominating)) filing petition. The petition shall contain not less than a number of signatures of registered voters equal to the number of dollars of the filing fee. The signatures shall be of voters registered to vote within the jurisdiction of the office for which the candidate is filing.
     When the candidacy is for:
     (1) A legislative or judicial office that includes territory from more than one county, the fee shall be paid to the secretary of state for equal division between the treasuries of the counties comprising the district.
     (2) A city or town office, the fee shall be paid to the county auditor who shall transmit it to the city or town clerk for deposit in the city or town treasury.

Sec. 18   RCW 29A.24.100 and 2003 c 111 s 610 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((nominating)) filing petition authorized by RCW 29A.24.090 shall be printed on sheets of uniform color and size, shall contain no more than twenty numbered lines, and must be in substantially the following form:

     The warning prescribed by RCW 29A.72.140; followed by:

     We, the undersigned registered voters of . . .(the state of Washington or the political subdivision for which the ((nomination)) filing is made). . ., hereby petition that the name of . . .(candidate's name). . . be printed on the official primary ballot for the office of . . .(insert name of office). . ..

     If the candidate listed a political party on the declaration of candidacy, then the name of that party must appear on the filing petition.
     The petition must include a place for each individual to sign and print his or her name, and the address, city, and county at which he or she is registered to vote.

Sec. 19   RCW 29A.24.110 and 2003 c 111 s 611 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((Nominating)) Petitions may be rejected for the following reasons:
     (1) The petition is not in the proper form;
     (2) The petition clearly bears insufficient signatures;
     (3) The petition is not accompanied by a declaration of candidacy;
     (4) The time within which the petition and the declaration of candidacy could have been filed has expired.
     If the petition is accepted, the officer with whom it is filed shall canvass the signatures contained on it and shall reject the signatures of those persons who are not registered voters and the signatures of those persons who are not registered to vote within the jurisdiction of the office for which the ((nominating)) petition is filed. He or she shall additionally reject any signature that appears on the ((nominating)) petitions of two or more candidates for the same office and shall also reject, each time it appears, the name of any person who signs the same petition more than once.
     If the officer with whom the petition is filed refuses to accept the petition or refuses to certify the petition as bearing sufficient valid signatures, the person filing the petition may appeal that action to the superior court. The application for judicial review shall take precedence over other cases and matters and shall be speedily heard and determined.

Sec. 20   RCW 29A.24.140 and 2003 c 111 s 614 are each amended to read as follows:
     A void in candidacy for ((a nonpartisan)) an office occurs when an election for such office, except for the short term, has been scheduled and no valid declaration of candidacy has been filed for the position or all persons filing such valid declarations of candidacy have died or been disqualified.

Sec. 21   RCW 29A.24.150 and 2003 c 111 s 615 are each amended to read as follows:
     The election officer with whom declarations of candidacy are filed shall give notice of a void in candidacy for ((a nonpartisan)) an office((,)) by notifying press, radio, and television in the county or counties involved and by such other means as may now or hereafter be provided by law. The notice shall state the office, and the time and place for filing declarations of candidacy.

Sec. 22   RCW 29A.24.160 and 2003 c 111 s 616 are each amended to read as follows:
     Filings to fill a void in candidacy for ((nonpartisan)) an office must be made in the same manner and with the same official as required during the regular filing period for such office((, except that nominating signature petitions that may be required of candidates filing for certain district offices during the normal filing period may not be required of candidates filing during the special three-day filing period)).

Sec. 23   RCW 29A.24.170 and 2003 c 111 s 617 are each amended to read as follows:
     Filings for ((a nonpartisan)) an office shall be reopened for a period of three normal business days, such three day period to be fixed by the election officer with whom such declarations of candidacy are filed and notice thereof given by notifying press, radio, and television in the county or counties and by such other means as may now or hereafter be provided by law whenever before the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary:
     (1) A void in candidacy occurs;
     (2) A vacancy occurs in ((any nonpartisan)) an office leaving an unexpired term to be filled by an election for which filings have not been held; or
     (3) A ((nominee)) candidate for judge of the superior court entitled to a certificate of election pursuant to Article 4, section 29, Amendment 41 of the state Constitution, dies or is disqualified.
     Candidacies validly filed within said three-day period shall appear on the ballot as if made during the earlier filing period.

Sec. 24   RCW 29A.24.180 and 2003 c 111 s 618 are each amended to read as follows:
     Filings for a nonpartisan office (other than judge of the supreme court or superintendent of public instruction) shall be reopened for a period of three normal business days, such three day period to be fixed by the election officer with whom such declarations of candidacy are filed and notice thereof given by notifying press, radio, and television in the county and by such other means as may now or hereafter be provided by law, when:
     (1) A void in candidacy for such nonpartisan office occurs on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary but prior to the sixth Tuesday before an election; or
     (2) A ((nominee)) candidate for judge of the superior court eligible after a contested primary for a certificate of election by Article 4, section 29, Amendment 41 of the state Constitution, dies or is disqualified within the ten day period immediately following the last day allotted for a candidate to withdraw; or
     (3) A vacancy occurs in any nonpartisan office on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary but prior to the sixth Tuesday before an election leaving an unexpired term to be filled by an election for which filings have not been held.
     The candidate receiving a plurality of the votes cast for that office in the general election shall be deemed elected.

Sec. 25   RCW 29A.24.190 and 2003 c 111 s 619 are each amended to read as follows:
     A scheduled election ((shall be lapsed)) lapses, the office is deemed stricken from the ballot, no purported write-in votes may be counted, and no candidate may be certified as elected, when:
     (1) In an election for judge of the supreme court ((or)), superintendent of public instruction, or a partisan office, a void in candidacy occurs on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary, public filings and the primary being an indispensable phase of the election process for such offices;
     (2) Except as otherwise specified in RCW 29A.24.180, a ((nominee)) candidate for judge of the superior court entitled to a certificate of election pursuant to Article 4, section 29, Amendment 41 of the state Constitution dies or is disqualified on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary;
     (3) In other elections for nonpartisan office a void in candidacy occurs or a vacancy occurs involving an unexpired term to be filled on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to an election.

Sec. 26   RCW 29A.24.310 and 2003 c 111 s 622 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any person who desires to be a write-in candidate and have such votes counted at a primary or election may file a declaration of candidacy with the officer designated in RCW 29A.24.070 not later than the day before the primary or election. Declarations of candidacy for write-in candidates must be accompanied by a filing fee in the same manner as required of other candidates filing for the office as provided in RCW 29A.24.090.
     Votes cast for write-in candidates who have filed such declarations of candidacy ((and write-in votes for persons appointed by political parties pursuant to RCW 29A.28.020)) need only specify the name of the candidate in the appropriate location on the ballot in order to be counted. Write-in votes cast for any other candidate, in order to be counted, must designate the office sought and position number ((or political party)), if the manner in which the write-in is done does not make the office or position clear. In order for write-in votes to be valid in jurisdictions employing optical-scan mark sense ballot systems the voter must complete the proper mark next to the write-in line for that office.
     No person may file as a write-in candidate where:
     (1) At a general election, the person attempting to file either filed as a write-in candidate for the same office at the preceding primary or the person's name appeared on the ballot for the same office at the preceding primary;
     (2) The person attempting to file as a write-in candidate has already filed a valid write-in declaration for that primary or election, unless one or the other of the two filings is for the office of precinct committeeperson;
     (3) The name of the person attempting to file already appears on the ballot as a candidate for another office, unless one of the two offices for which he or she is a candidate is precinct committeeperson.
     The declaration of candidacy shall be similar to that required by RCW 29A.24.030. No write-in candidate filing under this section may be included in any voter's pamphlet produced under chapter 29A.32 RCW unless that candidate qualifies to have his or her name printed on the general election ballot. The legislative authority of any jurisdiction producing a local voter's pamphlet under chapter 29A.32 RCW may provide, by ordinance, for the inclusion of write-in candidates in such pamphlets.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 27   A new section is added to chapter 29A.28 RCW to read as follows:
     If the death or disqualification of a candidate for a partisan or nonpartisan office does not give rise to the opening of a new filing period under RCW 29A.24.170, then the following will occur:
     (1) If the candidate dies or becomes disqualified after filing a declaration of candidacy but before the close of the filing period, then the declaration of candidacy is void and his or her name will not appear on the ballot;
     (2) If the candidate dies or becomes disqualified after the close of the filing period but before the day of the primary, then his or her name will appear on the primary ballot and all otherwise valid votes for that candidate will be tabulated. The candidate's name will not appear on the general election ballot even if he or she otherwise would have qualified to do so, but no other candidate will advance, or be substituted, in the place of that candidate. If the candidate was the only candidate to qualify to advance to the general election, then the general election for that office lapses, and the office will be regarded as vacant as of the time the newly elected official would have otherwise taken office;
     (3) If the candidate dies or becomes disqualified on or after the day of the primary, and he or she would have otherwise qualified to appear on the general election ballot, then his or her name will appear on the general election ballot and all otherwise valid votes for that candidate will be tabulated. If the candidate received a number of votes sufficient to be elected to office, but for his or her death or disqualification, then the office will be regarded as vacant as of the time the newly elected official would have otherwise taken office.

Sec. 28   RCW 29A.28.040 and 2003 c 111 s 704 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever a vacancy occurs in the United States house of representatives or the United States senate from this state, the governor shall order a special election to fill the vacancy.
     (2) Within ten days of such vacancy occurring, he or she shall issue a writ of election fixing a date for the special vacancy election not less than ninety days after the issuance of the writ, fixing a date for the primary for ((nominating)) qualifying candidates for the special vacancy election not less than thirty days before the day fixed for holding the special vacancy election, fixing the dates for the special filing period, and designating the term or part of the term for which the vacancy exists. If the vacancy is in the office of United States representative, the writ of election shall specify the congressional district that is vacant.
     (3) If the vacancy occurs less than six months before a state general election and before the second Friday following the close of the filing period for that general election, the special primary and special vacancy elections shall be held in concert with the state primary and state general election in that year.
     (4) If the vacancy occurs on or after the first day for filing under RCW 29A.24.050 and on or before the second Friday following the close of the filing period, a special filing period of three normal business days shall be fixed by the governor and notice thereof given to all media, including press, radio, and television within the area in which the vacancy election is to be held, to the end that, insofar as possible, all interested persons will be aware of such filing period. The last day of the filing period shall not be later than the third Tuesday before the primary ((at which candidates are to be nominated)). The names of candidates who have filed valid declarations of candidacy during this three-day period shall appear on the approaching primary ballot.
     (5) If the vacancy occurs later than the second Friday following the close of the filing period, a special primary and special vacancy election to fill the position shall be held after the next state general election but, in any event, no later than the ninetieth day following the November election.

Sec. 29   RCW 29A.28.060 and 2003 c 111 s 706 are each amended to read as follows:
     The general election laws and laws relating to ((partisan)) primaries ((shall)) for partisan offices apply to the special primaries and vacancy elections provided for in RCW 29A.28.040 through 29A.28.050 to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the provisions of these sections. Statutory time deadlines relating to availability of absentee ballots, certification, canvassing, and related procedures that cannot be met in a timely fashion may be modified for the purposes of a specific primary or vacancy election under this chapter by the secretary of state through emergency rules adopted under RCW 29A.04.610.

Sec. 30   RCW 29A.32.030 and 2003 c 111 s 803 are each amended to read as follows:
     The voters' pamphlet must contain:
     (1) Information about each ballot measure initiated by or referred to the voters for their approval or rejection as required by RCW 29A.32.070;
     (2) In even-numbered years, statements, if submitted, advocating the candidacies of ((nominees)) candidates qualified to appear on the ballot for the office of president and vice president of the United States, United States senator, United States representative, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, superintendent of public instruction, insurance commissioner, state senator, state representative, justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, or judge of the superior court. Candidates may also submit a campaign mailing address and telephone number and a photograph not more than five years old and of a size and quality that the secretary of state determines to be suitable for reproduction in the voters' pamphlet;
     (3) In odd-numbered years, if any office voted upon statewide appears on the ballot due to a vacancy, then statements and photographs for candidates for any vacant office listed in subsection (2) of this section must appear;
     (4) In even-numbered years, a section explaining how voters may participate in the election campaign process; the address and telephone number of the public disclosure commission established under RCW 42.17.350; and a summary of the disclosure requirements that apply when contributions are made to candidates and political committees;
     (5) In even-numbered years the name, address, and telephone number of each political party ((with nominees listed in the pamphlet, if filed with the secretary of state by the state committee of a major political party or the presiding officer of the convention of a minor political party)) for which a candidate appearing on the ballot has expressed a preference on his or her declaration of candidacy, if the party has provided that information to the secretary of state;
     (6) In each odd-numbered year immediately before a year in which a president of the United States is to be nominated and elected, information explaining the precinct caucus and convention process used by each major political party to elect delegates to its national presidential candidate nominating convention. The pamphlet must also provide a description of the statutory procedures by which minor political parties are formed and the statutory methods used by the parties to nominate candidates for president;
     (7) In even-numbered years, a description of the office of precinct committee officer and its duties;
     (8) An application form for an absentee ballot;
     (9) A brief statement explaining the deletion and addition of language for proposed measures under RCW 29A.32.080;
     (10) Any additional information pertaining to elections as may be required by law or in the judgment of the secretary of state is deemed informative to the voters.

Sec. 31   RCW 29A.32.120 and 2003 c 254 s 6 and 2003 c 111 s 812 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) The maximum number of words for statements submitted by candidates is as follows: State representative, one hundred words; state senator, judge of the superior court, judge of the court of appeals, justice of the supreme court, and all state offices voted upon throughout the state, except that of governor, two hundred words; president and vice president, United States senator, United States representative, and governor, three hundred words.
     (2) Arguments written by committees under RCW 29A.32.060 may not exceed two hundred fifty words in length.
     (3) Rebuttal arguments written by committees may not exceed seventy-five words in length.
     (4) The secretary of state shall allocate space in the pamphlet based on the number of candidates ((or nominees)) for each office.

Sec. 32   RCW 29A.36.010 and 2003 c 111 s 901 are each amended to read as follows:
     On or before the day following the last day allowed for ((political parties to fill vacancies in the ticket as provided by RCW 29A.28.010)) candidates to withdraw under RCW 29A.24.130, the secretary of state shall certify to each county auditor a list of the candidates who have filed declarations of candidacy in his or her office for the primary. For each office, the certificate shall include the name of each candidate, his or her address, and his or her party ((designation)) preference, if any.

Sec. 33   RCW 29A.36.070 and 2003 c 111 s 907 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided to the contrary in RCW 82.14.036, 82.46.021, or 82.80.090, the ballot title of any referendum filed on an enactment or portion of an enactment of a local government and any other question submitted to the voters of a local government consists of three elements: (a) An identification of the enacting legislative body and a statement of the subject matter; (b) a concise description of the measure; and (c) a question. The ballot title must conform with the requirements and be displayed substantially as provided under RCW 29A.72.050, except that the concise description must not exceed seventy-five words. If the local governmental unit is a city or a town, the concise statement shall be prepared by the city or town attorney. If the local governmental unit is a county, the concise statement shall be prepared by the prosecuting attorney of the county. If the unit is a unit of local government other than a city, town, or county, the concise statement shall be prepared by the prosecuting attorney of the county within which the majority area of the unit is located.
     (2) A referendum measure on the enactment of a unit of local government shall be advertised in the manner provided for ((nominees)) candidates for elective office.
     (3) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply if another provision of law specifies the ballot title for a specific type of ballot question or proposition.

Sec. 34   RCW 29A.36.100 and 2003 c 111 s 910 are each amended to read as follows:
     Except for the candidates for the positions of president and vice president or for a partisan or nonpartisan office for which no primary is required, the names of all candidates who, under this title, filed a declaration of candidacy((, were certified as a candidate to fill a vacancy on a major party ticket, or were nominated as an independent or minor party candidate)) will appear on the appropriate ballot at the primary throughout the jurisdiction ((in which they are to be nominated)) of the office for which they are a candidate.

Sec. 35   RCW 29A.36.170 and 2003 c 111 s 917 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in RCW 29A.36.180 and in subsection (2) of this section, on the ballot at the general election for ((a nonpartisan)) an office for which a primary was held, only the names of the candidate who received the greatest number of votes and the candidate who received the next greatest number of votes for that office shall appear under the title of that office, and the names shall appear in that order. If a primary was conducted, no candidate's name may be printed on the subsequent general election ballot unless he or she receives at least one percent of the total votes cast for that office at the preceding primary. On the ballot at the general election for ((any other nonpartisan)) an office for which no primary was held, the names of the candidates shall be listed in the order determined under RCW 29A.36.130.
     (2) On the ballot at the general election for the office of justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, judge of the superior court, or state superintendent of public instruction, if a candidate in a contested primary receives a majority of all the votes cast for that office or position, only the name of that candidate may be printed under the title of the office for that position.

Sec. 36   RCW 29A.36.200 and 2003 c 111 s 920 are each amended to read as follows:
     The names of the persons certified ((as nominees)) by the secretary of state or the county canvassing board as having qualified to appear on the general election ballot shall be printed on the ballot at the ensuing election.
     No name of any candidate ((whose nomination at a primary is required by law shall)) for an office for which a primary is conducted may be placed upon the ballot at a general or special election unless it appears upon the certificate of either (1) the secretary of state((,)) or (2) the county canvassing board((, or (3) a minor party convention or the state or county central committee of a major political party to fill a vacancy on its ticket under RCW 29A.28.020)).
     Excluding the office of precinct committee officer or a temporary elected position such as a charter review board member or freeholder, a candidate's name shall not appear more than once upon a ballot for a position regularly ((nominated or)) elected at the same election.

Sec. 37   RCW 29A.52.010 and 2003 c 111 s 1301 are each amended to read as follows:
     Whenever it shall be necessary to hold a special election in an odd-numbered year to fill an unexpired term of any office which is scheduled to be voted upon for a full term in an even-numbered year, no ((September)) primary election shall be held in the odd-numbered year if, after the last day allowed for candidates to withdraw((, either of the following circumstances exist:
     (1) No more than one candidate of each qualified political party has filed a declaration of candidacy for the same partisan office to be filled; or
     (2))) no more than two candidates have filed a declaration of candidacy for a single ((nonpartisan)) office to be filled.
     In ((either)) this event, the officer with whom the declarations of candidacy were filed shall immediately notify all candidates concerned and the names of the candidates that would have been printed upon the ((September)) primary ballot, but for the provisions of this section, shall be printed as ((nominees)) candidates for the positions sought upon the ((November)) general election ballot.

Sec. 38   RCW 29A.52.110 and 2003 c 111 s 1302 are each amended to read as follows:
     Candidates for ((the following offices shall be nominated at)) partisan offices will appear on the ballot at primaries held ((pursuant to the provisions of)) under this chapter((:
     (1) Congressional offices;
     (2) All state offices except (a) judicial offices and (b) the office of superintendent of public instruction;
     (3) All county offices except (a) judicial offices and (b) those offices where a county home rule charter provides otherwise)).

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 39   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever candidates for partisan office are to be elected, the general election must be preceded by a primary conducted under this chapter, except as otherwise provided in law. Based upon votes cast at the primary, two candidates must be certified as qualified to appear on the general election ballot, under RCW 29A.52.320 and 29A.36.170.
     (2) A primary may not be used to select the nominees of a political party. A primary is a critical stage in the public process by which voters elect candidates to public office.
     (3) If a candidate indicates a political philosophy as provided by RCW 29A.24.030(3) on his or her declaration of candidacy, then the philosophy will be listed for the candidate on the primary and general election ballots. Each candidate who does not express a philosophy will be listed as an independent candidate on the primary and general election ballots. Political philosophy will be listed for the information of the voters only, and may not be used for any purpose relating to the conduct, canvassing, or certification of the primary, and may in no way limit the options available to voters in deciding for whom to cast a vote.

Sec. 40   RCW 29A.52.230 and 2003 c 111 s 1307 are each amended to read as follows:
     The offices of superintendent of public instruction, justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, judge of the superior court, and judge of the district court shall be nonpartisan and the candidates therefor shall be ((nominated)) qualified and elected as such.
     All city, town, and special purpose district elective offices shall be nonpartisan and the candidates therefor shall be ((nominated)) qualified and elected as such.

Sec. 41   RCW 29A.52.320 and 2003 c 111 s 1310 are each amended to read as follows:
     No later than the day following the certification of the returns of any primary, the secretary of state shall certify to the appropriate county auditors, the names of all persons ((nominated)) qualified to appear on the general election ballot as candidates for offices, the returns of which have been canvassed by the secretary of state.

Sec. 42   RCW 29A.52.350 and 2003 c 111 s 1313 are each amended to read as follows:
      Except as provided in RCW 29A.32.260, notice for any state, county, district, or municipal election, whether special or general, must be given by at least one publication not more than ten nor less than three days before the election by the county auditor or the officer conducting the election as the case may be, in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the county. The legal notice must contain the title of each office under the proper party ((designation)) preference, the names and addresses of all ((officers)) candidates who have been ((nominated)) qualified to appear on the ballot for an office to be voted upon at that election, together with the ballot titles of all measures, the hours during which the polls will be open, and the polling places for each precinct, giving the address of each polling place. The names of all candidates for nonpartisan offices must be published separately with designation of the offices for which they are candidates but without party designation. This is the only notice required for a state, county, district, or municipal general or special election and supersedes the provisions of any and all other statutes, whether general or special in nature, having different requirements for the giving of notice of any general or special elections.

Sec. 43   RCW 29A.60.020 and 2003 c 111 s 1502 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) For any office at any election or primary, any voter may write in on the ballot the name of any person for an office who has filed as a write-in candidate for the office in the manner provided by RCW 29A.24.310 and such vote shall be counted the same as if the name had been printed on the ballot and marked by the voter. No write-in vote made for any person who has not filed a declaration of candidacy pursuant to RCW 29A.24.310 is valid if that person filed for the same office, either as a regular candidate or a write-in candidate, at the preceding primary. Any abbreviation used to designate office, position, or political party shall be accepted if the canvassing board can determine, to their satisfaction, the voter's intent.
     (2) The number of write-in votes cast for each office must be recorded and reported with the canvass for the election.
     (3) Write-in votes cast for an individual candidate for an office need not be tallied if the total number of write-in votes cast for the office is not greater than the number of votes cast for the candidate apparently ((nominated)) qualified to appear on the general election ballot or elected, and the write-in votes could not have altered the outcome of the primary or election. In the case of write-in votes for statewide office or for any office whose jurisdiction encompasses more than one county, write-in votes for an individual candidate must be tallied whenever the county auditor is notified by either the office of the secretary of state or another auditor in a multicounty jurisdiction that it appears that the write-in votes could alter the outcome of the primary or election.
     (4) In the case of statewide offices or jurisdictions that encompass more than one county, if the total number of write-in votes cast for an office within a county is greater than the number of votes cast for a candidate apparently ((nominated)) qualified to appear on the general election ballot or elected in a primary or election, the auditor shall tally all write-in votes for individual candidates for that office and notify the office of the secretary of state and the auditors of the other counties within the jurisdiction, that the write-in votes for individual candidates should be tallied.

Sec. 44   RCW 29A.60.220 and 2003 c 111 s 1522 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If the requisite number of any federal, state, county, city, or district offices have not ((been nominated)) qualified to appear on the general election ballot in a primary by reason of two or more persons having an equal and requisite number of votes for being placed on the general election ballot, the official empowered by state law to certify candidates for the general election ballot shall give notice to the several persons so having the equal and requisite number of votes to attend at the appropriate office at the time designated by that official, who shall then and there proceed publicly to decide by lot which of those persons will be declared ((nominated)) qualified and placed on the general election ballot.
     (2) If the requisite number of any federal, state, county, city, district, or precinct officers have not been elected by reason of two or more persons having an equal and highest number of votes for one and the same office, the official empowered by state law to issue the original certificate of election shall give notice to the several persons so having the highest and equal number of votes to attend at the appropriate office at the time to be appointed by that official, who shall then and there proceed publicly to decide by lot which of those persons will be declared duly elected, and the official shall make out and deliver to the person thus duly declared elected a certificate of election.

Sec. 45   RCW 29A.64.010 and 2003 c 111 s 1601 are each amended to read as follows:
     An officer of a political party or any person for whom votes were cast in a primary who was not declared ((nominated)) qualified to appear on the general election ballot may file a written application for a recount of the votes or a portion of the votes cast at that primary for all persons for whom votes were cast for ((nomination to)) that office.
     An officer of a political party or any person for whom votes were cast at any election may file a written application for a recount of the votes or a portion of the votes cast at that election for all candidates for election to that office.
     Any group of five or more registered voters may file a written application for a recount of the votes or a portion of the votes cast upon any question or issue. They shall designate one of the members of the group as chair and shall indicate the voting residence of each member of the group.
     An application for a recount of the votes cast for an office or on a ballot measure must be filed with the officer with whom filings are made for the jurisdiction.
     An application for a recount must specify whether the recount will be done manually or by the vote tally system. A recount done by the vote tally system must use programming that recounts and reports only the office or ballot measure in question. The county shall also provide for a test of the logic and accuracy of that program.
     An application for a recount must be filed within three business days after the county canvassing board or secretary of state has declared the official results of the primary or election for the office or issue for which the recount is requested.
     This chapter applies to the recounting of votes cast by paper ballots and to the recounting of votes recorded on ballots counted by a vote tally system.

Sec. 46   RCW 29A.64.020 and 2003 c 111 s 1602 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If the official canvass of all of the returns for any office at any primary or election reveals that the difference in the number of votes cast for a candidate apparently ((nominated)) qualified to appear on the general election ballot or elected to any office and the number of votes cast for the closest apparently defeated opponent is less than two thousand votes and also less than one-half of one percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates, the county canvassing board shall conduct a recount of all votes cast on that position.
     (a) Whenever such a difference occurs in the number of votes cast for candidates for a position the declaration of candidacy for which was filed with the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall, within three business days of the day that the returns of the primary or election are first certified by the canvassing boards of those counties, direct those boards to recount all votes cast on the position.
     (b) If the difference in the number of votes cast for the apparent winner and the closest apparently defeated opponent is less than one hundred fifty votes and also less than one-fourth of one percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates, the votes shall be recounted manually or as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
     (2) A mandatory recount shall be conducted in the manner provided by RCW 29A.64.030, 29A.64.040, and 29A.64.060. No cost of a mandatory recount may be charged to any candidate.
     (3) The apparent winner and closest apparently defeated opponent for an office for which a manual recount is required under subsection (1)(b) of this section may select an alternative method of conducting the recount. To select such an alternative, the two candidates shall agree to the alternative in a signed, written statement filed with the election official for the office. The recount shall be conducted using the alternative method if: It is suited to the balloting system that was used for casting the votes for the office; it involves the use of a vote tallying system that is approved for use in this state by the secretary of state; and the vote tallying system is readily available in each county required to conduct the recount. If more than one balloting system was used in casting votes for the office, an alternative to a manual recount may be selected for each system.

Sec. 47   RCW 29A.64.040 and 2003 c 111 s 1604 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) At the time and place established for a recount, the canvassing board or its duly authorized representatives, in the presence of all witnesses who may be in attendance, shall open the sealed containers containing the ballots to be recounted, and shall recount the votes for the offices or issues for which the recount has been ordered. Ballots shall be handled only by the members of the canvassing board or their duly authorized representatives.
     Witnesses shall be permitted to observe the ballots and the process of tabulating the votes, but they shall not be permitted to handle the ballots. The canvassing board shall not permit the tabulation of votes for any ((nomination, election,)) office or issue other than the ones for which a recount was applied for or required.
     (2) At any time before the ballots from all of the precincts listed in the application for the recount have been recounted, the applicant may file with the board a written request to stop the recount.
     (3) The recount may be observed by persons representing the candidates affected by the recount or the persons representing both sides of an issue that is being recounted. The observers may not make a record of the names, addresses, or other information on the ballots, poll books, or applications for absentee ballots unless authorized by the superior court. The secretary of state or county auditor may limit the number of observers to not less than two on each side if, in his or her opinion, a greater number would cause undue delay or disruption of the recount process.

Sec. 48   RCW 29A.64.060 and 2003 c 111 s 1606 are each amended to read as follows:
     Upon completion of the canvass of a recount, the canvassing board shall prepare and certify an amended abstract showing the votes cast in each precinct for which the recount was conducted. Copies of the amended abstracts must be transmitted to the same officers who received the abstract on which the recount was based.
     If the ((nomination, election,)) office or issue for which the recount was conducted was submitted only to the voters of a county, the canvassing board shall file the amended abstract with the original results of that election or primary.
     If the ((nomination, election,)) office or issue for which a recount was conducted was submitted to the voters of more than one county, the secretary of state shall canvass the amended abstracts and shall file an amended abstract with the original results of that election. An amended abstract certified under this section supersedes any prior abstract of the results for the same offices or issues at the same primary or election.

Sec. 49   RCW 29A.64.080 and 2003 c 111 s 1608 are each amended to read as follows:
     The canvassing board shall determine the expenses for conducting a recount of votes.
     The cost of the recount shall be deducted from the amount deposited by the applicant for the recount at the time of filing the request for the recount, and the balance shall be returned to the applicant. If the costs of the recount exceed the deposit, the applicant shall pay the difference. No charges may be deducted by the canvassing board from the deposit for a recount if the recount changes the result of the ((nomination)) primary or election for which the recount was ordered.

Sec. 50   RCW 29A.68.010 and 2003 c 111 s 1701 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, or judge of the superior court in the proper county shall, by order, require any person charged with error, wrongful act, or neglect to forthwith correct the error, desist from the wrongful act, or perform the duty and to do as the court orders or to show cause forthwith why the error should not be corrected, the wrongful act desisted from, or the duty or order not performed, whenever it is made to appear to such justice or judge by affidavit of an elector that:
     (1) An error or omission has occurred or is about to occur in printing the name of any candidate on official ballots; or
     (2) An error other than as provided in subsections (1) and (3) of this section has been committed or is about to be committed in printing the ballots; or
     (3) The name of any person has been or is about to be wrongfully placed upon the ballots; or
     (4) A wrongful act other than as provided for in subsections (1) and (3) of this section has been performed or is about to be performed by any election officer; or
     (5) Any neglect of duty on the part of an election officer other than as provided for in subsections (1) and (3) of this section has occurred or is about to occur; or
     (6) An error or omission has occurred or is about to occur in the issuance of a certificate of election.
     An affidavit of an elector under subsections (1) and (3) above when relating to a primary election must be filed with the appropriate court no later than the second Friday following the closing of the filing period ((for nominations)) for such office and shall be heard and finally disposed of by the court not later than five days after the filing thereof. An affidavit of an elector under subsections (1) and (3) of this section when relating to a general election must be filed with the appropriate court no later than three days following the official certification of the primary election returns and shall be heard and finally disposed of by the court not later than five days after the filing thereof. An affidavit of an elector under subsection (6) of this section shall be filed with the appropriate court no later than ten days following the issuance of a certificate of election.

Sec. 51   RCW 29A.80.010 and 2003 c 111 s 2001 are each amended to read as follows:
     (((1))) Each political party organization may((:
     (a) Make its own)) adopt rules ((and regulations; and
     (b) Perform all functions inherent in such an organization.
     (2) Only major political parties may designate candidates to appear on the state primary ballot as provided in RCW 29A.28.010)) governing its own organization and the nonstatutory functions of that organization.

Sec. 52   RCW 29A.84.260 and 2003 c 111 s 2114 are each amended to read as follows:
     The following apply to persons signing ((nominating)) petitions prescribed by RCW 29A.20.150 and 29A.24.100:
     (1) A person who signs a petition with any other than his or her name shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
     (2) A person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if the person knowingly: Signs more than one petition for any single candidacy of any single candidate; signs the petition when he or she is not a legal voter; or makes a false statement as to his or her residence.

Sec. 53   RCW 29A.84.310 and 2003 c 111 s 2117 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every person who:
     (1) Knowingly provides false information on his or her declaration of candidacy ((or)), filing petition ((of nomination)), or nominating petition; or
     (2) Conceals or fraudulently defaces or destroys a certificate that has been filed with an elections officer under RCW ((29A.20.110 through 29A.20.200)) 29A.20.120 through 29A.20.180 or a declaration of candidacy or petition of nomination that has been filed with an elections officer, or any part of such a certificate, declaration, or petition, is guilty of a class C felony punishable under RCW 9A.20.021.

Sec. 54   RCW 29A.84.710 and 2003 c 111 s 2137 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every person who:
     (1) Knowingly and falsely issues a certificate of ((nomination)) qualification or election; or
     (2) Knowingly provides false information on a certificate which must be filed with an elections officer under RCW ((29A.20.110 through 29A.20.200)) 29A.20.120 through 29A.20.180, is guilty of a class C felony punishable under RCW 9A.20.021.

Sec. 55   RCW 42.17.020 and 2002 c 75 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) "Agency" includes all state agencies and all local agencies. "State agency" includes every state office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or other state agency. "Local agency" includes every county, city, town, municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or special purpose district, or any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency thereof, or other local public agency.
     (2) "Authorized committee" means the political committee authorized by a candidate, or by the public official against whom recall charges have been filed, to accept contributions or make expenditures on behalf of the candidate or public official.
     (3) "Ballot proposition" means any "measure" as defined by RCW ((29.01.110)) 29A.04.091, or any initiative, recall, or referendum proposition proposed to be submitted to the voters of the state or any municipal corporation, political subdivision, or other voting constituency from and after the time when the proposition has been initially filed with the appropriate election officer of that constituency prior to its circulation for signatures.
     (4) "Benefit" means a commercial, proprietary, financial, economic, or monetary advantage, or the avoidance of a commercial, proprietary, financial, economic, or monetary disadvantage.
     (5) "Bona fide political party" means:
     (a) An organization that has filed a valid certificate of nomination with the secretary of state under chapter ((29.24)) 29A.20 RCW;
     (b) The governing body of the state organization of a major political party, as defined in RCW ((29.01.090)) 29A.04.085, that is the body authorized by the charter or bylaws of the party to exercise authority on behalf of the state party; or
     (c) The county central committee or legislative district committee of a major political party. There may be only one legislative district committee for each party in each legislative district.
     (6) "Depository" means a bank designated by a candidate or political committee pursuant to RCW 42.17.050.
     (7) "Treasurer" and "deputy treasurer" mean the individuals appointed by a candidate or political committee, pursuant to RCW 42.17.050, to perform the duties specified in that section.
     (8) "Candidate" means any individual who seeks nomination for election or election to public office. An individual seeks nomination or election when he or she first:
     (a) Receives contributions or makes expenditures or reserves space or facilities with intent to promote his or her candidacy for office;
     (b) Announces publicly or files for office;
     (c) Purchases commercial advertising space or broadcast time to promote his or her candidacy; or
     (d) Gives his or her consent to another person to take on behalf of the individual any of the actions in (a) or (c) of this subsection.
     (9) "Caucus political committee" means a political committee organized and maintained by the members of ((a major political party in)) the majority caucus in the state senate or state house of representatives, or by the members of the minority caucus in the state senate or state house of representatives.
     (10) "Commercial advertiser" means any person who sells the service of communicating messages or producing printed material for broadcast or distribution to the general public or segments of the general public whether through the use of newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, billboard companies, direct mail advertising companies, printing companies, or otherwise.
     (11) "Commission" means the agency established under RCW 42.17.350.
     (12) "Compensation" unless the context requires a narrower meaning, includes payment in any form for real or personal property or services of any kind: PROVIDED, That for the purpose of compliance with RCW 42.17.241, the term "compensation" shall not include per diem allowances or other payments made by a governmental entity to reimburse a public official for expenses incurred while the official is engaged in the official business of the governmental entity.
     (13) "Continuing political committee" means a political committee that is an organization of continuing existence not established in anticipation of any particular election campaign.
     (14)(a) "Contribution" includes:
     (i) A loan, gift, deposit, subscription, forgiveness of indebtedness, donation, advance, pledge, payment, transfer of funds between political committees, or anything of value, including personal and professional services for less than full consideration;
     (ii) An expenditure made by a person in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a political committee, or their agents;
     (iii) The financing by a person of the dissemination, distribution, or republication, in whole or in part, of broadcast, written, graphic, or other form of political advertising prepared by a candidate, a political committee, or its authorized agent;
     (iv) Sums paid for tickets to fund-raising events such as dinners and parties, except for the actual cost of the consumables furnished at the event.
     (b) "Contribution" does not include:
     (i) Standard interest on money deposited in a political committee's account;
     (ii) Ordinary home hospitality;
     (iii) A contribution received by a candidate or political committee that is returned to the contributor within five business days of the date on which it is received by the candidate or political committee;
     (iv) A news item, feature, commentary, or editorial in a regularly scheduled news medium that is of primary interest to the general public, that is in a news medium controlled by a person whose business is that news medium, and that is not controlled by a candidate or a political committee;
     (v) An internal political communication primarily limited to the members of or contributors to a political party organization or political committee, or to the officers, management staff, or stockholders of a corporation or similar enterprise, or to the members of a labor organization or other membership organization;
     (vi) The rendering of personal services of the sort commonly performed by volunteer campaign workers, or incidental expenses personally incurred by volunteer campaign workers not in excess of fifty dollars personally paid for by the worker. "Volunteer services," for the purposes of this section, means services or labor for which the individual is not compensated by any person;
     (vii) Messages in the form of reader boards, banners, or yard or window signs displayed on a person's own property or property occupied by a person. However, a facility used for such political advertising for which a rental charge is normally made must be reported as an in-kind contribution and counts towards any applicable contribution limit of the person providing the facility;
     (viii) Legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of:
     (A) A political party or caucus political committee if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the person rendering such services; or
     (B) A candidate or an authorized committee if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the individual rendering the services and if the services are solely for the purpose of ensuring compliance with state election or public disclosure laws.
     (c) Contributions other than money or its equivalent are deemed to have a monetary value equivalent to the fair market value of the contribution. Services or property or rights furnished at less than their fair market value for the purpose of assisting any candidate or political committee are deemed a contribution. Such a contribution must be reported as an in-kind contribution at its fair market value and counts towards any applicable contribution limit of the provider.
     (15) "Elected official" means any person elected at a general or special election to any public office, and any person appointed to fill a vacancy in any such office.
     (16) "Election" includes any primary, general, or special election for public office and any election in which a ballot proposition is submitted to the voters: PROVIDED, That an election in which the qualifications for voting include other than those requirements set forth in Article VI, section 1 (Amendment 63) of the Constitution of the state of Washington shall not be considered an election for purposes of this chapter.
     (17) "Election campaign" means any campaign in support of or in opposition to a candidate for election to public office and any campaign in support of, or in opposition to, a ballot proposition.
     (18) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day of December after the date of the last previous general election for the office that the candidate seeks and ending on November 30th after the next election for the office. In the case of a special election to fill a vacancy in an office, "election cycle" means the period beginning on the day the vacancy occurs and ending on November 30th after the special election.
     (19) "Expenditure" includes a payment, contribution, subscription, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value, and includes a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not legally enforceable, to make an expenditure. The term "expenditure" also includes a promise to pay, a payment, or a transfer of anything of value in exchange for goods, services, property, facilities, or anything of value for the purpose of assisting, benefiting, or honoring any public official or candidate, or assisting in furthering or opposing any election campaign. For the purposes of this chapter, agreements to make expenditures, contracts, and promises to pay may be reported as estimated obligations until actual payment is made. The term "expenditure" shall not include the partial or complete repayment by a candidate or political committee of the principal of a loan, the receipt of which loan has been properly reported.
     (20) "Final report" means the report described as a final report in RCW 42.17.080(2).
     (21) "General election" for the purposes of RCW 42.17.640 means the election that results in the election of a person to a state office. It does not include a primary.
     (22) "Gift," is as defined in RCW 42.52.010.
     (23) "Immediate family" includes the spouse, dependent children, and other dependent relatives, if living in the household. For the purposes of RCW 42.17.640 through 42.17.790, "immediate family" means an individual's spouse, and child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, half brother, sister, or half sister of the individual and the spouse of any such person and a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, half brother, sister, or half sister of the individual's spouse and the spouse of any such person.
     (24) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure that has each of the following elements:
     (a) It is made in support of or in opposition to a candidate for office by a person who is not (i) a candidate for that office, (ii) an authorized committee of that candidate for that office, (iii) a person who has received the candidate's encouragement or approval to make the expenditure, if the expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising supporting that candidate or promoting the defeat of any other candidate or candidates for that office, or (iv) a person with whom the candidate has collaborated for the purpose of making the expenditure, if the expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising supporting that candidate or promoting the defeat of any other candidate or candidates for that office;
     (b) The expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising that either specifically names the candidate supported or opposed, or clearly and beyond any doubt identifies the candidate without using the candidate's name; and
     (c) The expenditure, alone or in conjunction with another expenditure or other expenditures of the same person in support of or opposition to that candidate, has a value of five hundred dollars or more. A series of expenditures, each of which is under five hundred dollars, constitutes one independent expenditure if their cumulative value is five hundred dollars or more.
     (25)(a) "Intermediary" means an individual who transmits a contribution to a candidate or committee from another person unless the contribution is from the individual's employer, immediate family as defined for purposes of RCW 42.17.640 through 42.17.790, or an association to which the individual belongs.
     (b) A treasurer or a candidate is not an intermediary for purposes of the committee that the treasurer or candidate serves.
     (c) A professional fund-raiser is not an intermediary if the fund-raiser is compensated for fund-raising services at the usual and customary rate.
     (d) A volunteer hosting a fund-raising event at the individual's home is not an intermediary for purposes of that event.
     (26) "Legislation" means bills, resolutions, motions, amendments, nominations, and other matters pending or proposed in either house of the state legislature, and includes any other matter that may be the subject of action by either house or any committee of the legislature and all bills and resolutions that, having passed both houses, are pending approval by the governor.
     (27) "Lobby" and "lobbying" each mean attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by the legislature of the state of Washington, or the adoption or rejection of any rule, standard, rate, or other legislative enactment of any state agency under the state Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW. Neither "lobby" nor "lobbying" includes an association's or other organization's act of communicating with the members of that association or organization.
     (28) "Lobbyist" includes any person who lobbies either in his or her own or another's behalf.
     (29) "Lobbyist's employer" means the person or persons by whom a lobbyist is employed and all persons by whom he or she is compensated for acting as a lobbyist.
     (30) "Person" includes an individual, partnership, joint venture, public or private corporation, association, federal, state, or local governmental entity or agency however constituted, candidate, committee, political committee, political party, executive committee thereof, or any other organization or group of persons, however organized.
     (31) "Person in interest" means the person who is the subject of a record or any representative designated by that person, except that if that person is under a legal disability, the term "person in interest" means and includes the parent or duly appointed legal representative.
     (32) "Political advertising" includes any advertising displays, newspaper ads, billboards, signs, brochures, articles, tabloids, flyers, letters, radio or television presentations, or other means of mass communication, used for the purpose of appealing, directly or indirectly, for votes or for financial or other support in any election campaign.
     (33) "Political committee" means any person (except a candidate or an individual dealing with his or her own funds or property) having the expectation of receiving contributions or making expenditures in support of, or opposition to, any candidate or any ballot proposition.
     (34) "Primary" for the purposes of RCW 42.17.640 means the procedure for ((nominating)) qualifying a candidate to state office under chapter ((29.18 or 29.21 RCW or any other primary for an election that uses, in large measure, the procedures established in chapter 29.18 or 29.21)) 29A.52 RCW.
     (35) "Public office" means any federal, state, county, city, town, school district, port district, special district, or other state political subdivision elective office.
     (36) "Public record" includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. For the office of the secretary of the senate and the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives, public records means legislative records as defined in RCW 40.14.100 and also means the following: All budget and financial records; personnel leave, travel, and payroll records; records of legislative sessions; reports submitted to the legislature; and any other record designated a public record by any official action of the senate or the house of representatives.
     (37) "Recall campaign" means the period of time beginning on the date of the filing of recall charges under RCW ((29.82.015)) 29A.56.120 and ending thirty days after the recall election.
     (38) "State legislative office" means the office of a member of the state house of representatives or the office of a member of the state senate.
     (39) "State office" means state legislative office or the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, insurance commissioner, superintendent of public instruction, state auditor, or state treasurer.
     (40) "State official" means a person who holds a state office.
     (41) "Surplus funds" mean, in the case of a political committee or candidate, the balance of contributions that remain in the possession or control of that committee or candidate subsequent to the election for which the contributions were received, and that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay remaining debts incurred by the committee or candidate prior to that election. In the case of a continuing political committee, "surplus funds" mean those contributions remaining in the possession or control of the committee that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay all remaining debts when it makes its final report under RCW 42.17.065.
     (42) "Writing" means handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photographing, and every other means of recording any form of communication or representation, including, but not limited to, letters, words, pictures, sounds, or symbols, or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, motion picture, film and video recordings, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, diskettes, sound recordings, and other documents including existing data compilations from which information may be obtained or translated.
     As used in this chapter, the singular shall take the plural and any gender, the other, as the context requires.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 56   (1) The subheadings in chapter 29A.52 RCW "PARTISAN PRIMARIES" AND "NONPARTISAN PRIMARIES" will be combined under one subheading "PRIMARIES."
     (2) The subheading in chapter 29A.20 RCW "MINOR PARTY AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE NOMINATIONS" will be changed to "MINOR AND INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES."
     (3) The code reviser shall recaption RCW 29A.24.100 as "Filing petition--Form."
     (4) The code reviser shall recaption RCW 29A.36.170 as "Candidates qualified for the general election."
     (5) The code reviser shall recaption RCW 29A.52.320 as "Certification of candidates qualified to appear on the general election ballot."
     (6) The code reviser shall recaption RCW 29A.84.310 as "Candidacy declarations, filing petitions, nominating petitions."
     (7) The code reviser shall recaption RCW 29A.84.710 as "Documents regarding qualification, election, candidacy--Frauds and falsehoods."

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 57   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 29A.04.157 (September primary) and 2003 c 111 s 128;
     (2) RCW 29A.20.110 (Definitions -- "Convention" and "election jurisdiction") and 2003 c 111 s 505, 1977 ex.s. c 329 s 1, & 1965 c 9 s 29.24.010;
     (3) RCW 29A.20.130 (Convention -- Notice) and 2003 c 111 s 507;
     (4) RCW 29A.20.200 (Declarations of candidacy required, exceptions -- Payment of fees) and 2003 c 111 s 514, 1990 c 59 s 103, 1989 c 215 s 8, 1977 ex.s. c 329 s 7, & 1965 c 9 s 29.24.070;
     (5) RCW 29A.24.200 (Lapse of election when no filing for single positions -- Effect) and 2003 c 111 s 620;
     (6) RCW 29A.24.210 (Vacancy in partisan elective office -- Special filing period) and 2003 c 111 s 621;
     (7) RCW 29A.28.010 (Major party ticket) and 2003 c 111 s 701, 1990 c 59 s 102, 1977 ex.s. c 329 s 12, & 1965 c 9 s 29.18.150;
     (8) RCW 29A.28.020 (Death or disqualification -- Correcting ballots -- Counting votes already cast) and 2003 c 111 s 702, 2001 c 46 s 4, & 1977 ex.s. c 329 s 13;
     (9) RCW 29A.36.190 (Partisan candidates qualified for general election) and 2003 c 111 s 919;
     (10) RCW 29A.52.130 (Blanket primary authorized) and 2003 c 111 s 1304; and
     (11) RCW 29A.04.903 (Effective date -- 2003 c 111) and 2003 c 111 s 2405.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 101   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     If a court of competent jurisdiction holds that a candidate may not identify a major or minor political party as best approximating his or her political philosophy, as provided in RCW 29A.24.030(3), and all appeals of that court order have been exhausted or waived, the secretary of state shall notify the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the two largest caucuses in the senate and the house of representatives, the code reviser, and all county auditors that the state can no longer conduct a qualifying primary and instead will conduct a nominating primary. Upon issuance of such a notification by the secretary of state, no qualifying primary may be held in Washington.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 102   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW to read as follows:
     As used in this title:
     (1) "Ballot" means, as the context implies, either:
     (a) The issues and offices to be voted upon in a jurisdiction or portion of a jurisdiction at a particular primary, general election, or special election;
     (b) A facsimile of the contents of a particular ballot whether printed on a paper ballot or ballot card or as part of a voting machine or voting device;
     (c) A physical or electronic record of the choices of an individual voter in a particular primary, general election, or special election; or
     (d) The physical document on which the voter's choices are to be recorded;
     (2) "Paper ballot" means a piece of paper on which the ballot for a particular election or primary has been printed, on which a voter may record his or her choices for any candidate or for or against any measure, and that is to be tabulated manually;
     (3) "Ballot card" means any type of card or piece of paper of any size on which a voter may record his or her choices for any candidate and for or against any measure and that is to be tabulated on a vote tallying system;
     (4) "Sample ballot" means a printed facsimile of all the issues and offices on the ballot in a jurisdiction and is intended to give voters notice of the issues, offices, and candidates that are to be voted on at a particular primary, general election, or special election;
     (5) "Provisional ballot" means a ballot issued to a voter at the polling place on election day by the precinct election board, for one of the following reasons:
     (a) The voter's name does not appear in the poll book;
     (b) There is an indication in the poll book that the voter has requested an absentee ballot, but the voter wishes to vote at the polling place;
     (c) There is a question on the part of the voter concerning the issues or candidates on which the voter is qualified to vote;
     (6) "Party ballot" means a primary election ballot specific to a particular major political party that lists all partisan offices to be voted on at that primary, and the candidates for those offices who affiliate with that same major political party;
     (7) "Nonpartisan ballot" means a primary election ballot that lists all nonpartisan races and ballot measures to be voted on at that primary.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 103   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW to read as follows:
     "Major political party" means a political party of which at least one nominee for president, vice president, United States senator, or a statewide office received at least five percent of the total vote cast at the last preceding state general election in an even-numbered year. A political party qualifying as a major political party under this section retains such status until the next even-year election at which a candidate of that party does not achieve at least five percent of the vote for one of the previously specified offices. If none of these offices appear on the ballot in an even-year general election, the major party retains its status as a major party through that election. However, a political party of which no nominee received at least ten percent of the total vote cast may forgo its status as a major political party by filing with the secretary of state an appropriate party rule within sixty days of attaining major party status under this section, or within fifteen days of the effective date of this section, whichever is later.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 104   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW to read as follows:
     The county auditor of each county shall be ex officio the supervisor of all primaries and elections, general or special, and it shall be the county auditor's duty to provide places for holding such primaries and elections; to appoint the precinct election officers and to provide for their compensation; to provide the supplies and materials necessary for the conduct of elections to the precinct election officers; and to publish and post notices of calling such primaries and elections in the manner provided by law. The notice of a primary held in an even-numbered year must indicate that the office of precinct committee officer will be on the ballot. The auditor shall also apportion to each city, town, or district, and to the state of Washington in the odd-numbered year, its share of the expense of such primaries and elections. This section does not apply to general or special elections for any city, town, or district that is not subject to section 106 of this act and RCW 29A.04.330, but all such elections must be held and conducted at the time, in the manner, and by the officials (with such notice, requirements for filing for office, and certifications by local officers) as provided and required by the laws governing such elections.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 105   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW to read as follows:
     Nominating primaries for general elections to be held in November, and the election of precinct committee officers, must be held on the third Tuesday of the preceding September or on the seventh Tuesday immediately preceding such general election, whichever occurs first.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 106   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) All state, county, city, town, and district general elections for the election of federal, state, legislative, judicial, county, city, town, and district officers, and for the submission to the voters of the state, county, city, town, or district of any measure for their adoption and approval or rejection, shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November, in the year in which they may be called. A statewide general election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November of each year. However, the statewide general election held in odd-numbered years shall be limited to (a) city, town, and district general elections as provided for in RCW 29A.04.330, or as otherwise provided by law; (b) the election of federal officers for the remainder of any unexpired terms in the membership of either branch of the Congress of the United States; (c) the election of state and county officers for the remainder of any unexpired terms of offices created by or whose duties are described in Article II, section 15, Article III, sections 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, and Article IV, sections 3 and 5 of the state Constitution and RCW 2.06.080; (d) the election of county officers in any county governed by a charter containing provisions calling for general county elections at this time; and (e) the approval or rejection of state measures, including proposed constitutional amendments, matters pertaining to any proposed constitutional convention, initiative measures and referendum measures proposed by the electorate, referendum bills, and any other matter provided by the legislature for submission to the electorate.
     (2) A county legislative authority may, if it deems an emergency to exist, call a special county election by presenting a resolution to the county auditor at least forty-five days prior to the proposed election date. Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, a special election called by the county legislative authority shall be held on one of the following dates as decided by such governing body:
     (a) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in February;
     (b) The second Tuesday in March;
     (c) The fourth Tuesday in April;
     (d) The third Tuesday in May;
     (e) The day of the primary as specified by section 105 of this act; or
     (f) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
     (3) In addition to the dates set forth in subsection (2)(a) through (f) of this section, a special election to validate an excess levy or bond issue may be called at any time to meet the needs resulting from fire, flood, earthquake, or other act of God. Such county special election shall be noticed and conducted in the manner provided by law.
     (4) In a presidential election year, if a presidential preference primary is conducted in February, March, April, or May under chapter 29A.56 RCW, the date on which a special election may be called by the county legislative authority under subsection (2) of this section during the month of that primary is the date of the presidential primary.
     (5) This section shall supersede the provisions of any and all other statutes, whether general or special in nature, having different dates for such city, town, and district elections, the purpose of this section being to establish mandatory dates for holding elections except for those elections held pursuant to a home-rule charter adopted under Article XI, section 4 of the state Constitution. This section shall not be construed as fixing the time for holding primary elections, or elections for the recall of any elective public officer.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 107   A new section is added to chapter 29A.08 RCW to read as follows:
     No record may be created or maintained by a state or local governmental agency or a political organization that identifies a voter with the information marked on the voter's ballot, including the choice that a voter makes on a partisan primary ballot regarding political party affiliation.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 108   A new section is added to chapter 29A.08 RCW to read as follows:
     Under no circumstances may an individual be required to affiliate with, join, adhere to, express faith in, or declare a preference for, a political party or organization upon registering to vote.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 109   A new section is added to chapter 29A.12 RCW to read as follows:
     The secretary of state shall not approve a vote tallying system unless it:
     (1) Correctly counts votes on ballots on which the proper number of votes have been marked for any office or issue;
     (2) Ignores votes marked for any office or issue where more than the allowable number of votes have been marked, but correctly counts the properly voted portions of the ballot;
     (3) Accumulates a count of the specific number of ballots tallied for each precinct, total votes by candidate for each office, and total votes for and against each issue of the ballot in that precinct;
     (4) Produces precinct and cumulative totals in printed form; and
     (5) Except for functions or capabilities unique to this state, has been tested, certified, and used in at least one other state or election jurisdiction.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 110   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Any nomination of a candidate for partisan public office by other than a major political party may be made only: (a) In a convention held not earlier than the last Saturday in June and not later than the first Saturday in July or during any of the seven days immediately preceding the first day for filing declarations of candidacy as fixed in accordance with section 118 of this act; (b) as provided by section 147 of this act; or (c) as otherwise provided in this section. Minor political party and independent candidates may appear only on the general election ballot.
     (2) Nominations of candidates for president and vice president of the United States other than by a major political party may be made either at a convention conducted under subsection (1) of this section, or at a similar convention taking place not earlier than the first Sunday in July and not later than seventy days before the general election. Conventions held during this time period may not nominate candidates for any public office other than president and vice president of the United States, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
     (3) If a special filing period for a partisan office is opened under section 116 of this act, candidates of minor political parties and independent candidates may file for office during that special filing period. The names of those candidates may not appear on the general election ballot unless they are nominated by convention held no later than five days after the close of the special filing period and a certificate of nomination is filed with the filing officer no later than three days after the convention. The requirements of section 189 of this act do not apply to such a convention.
     (4) A minor political party may hold more than one convention but in no case shall any such party nominate more than one candidate for any one partisan public office or position. For the purpose of nominating candidates for the offices of president and vice president, United States senator, United States representative, or a statewide office, a minor party or independent candidate holding multiple conventions may add together the number of signatures of different individuals from each convention obtained in support of the candidate or candidates in order to obtain the number required by section 111 of this act. For all other offices for which nominations are made, signatures of the requisite number of registered voters must be obtained at a single convention.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 111   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) To be valid, a convention must be attended by at least one hundred registered voters.
     (2) In order to nominate candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States, United States senator, United States representative, or any statewide office, a nominating convention shall obtain and submit to the filing officer the signatures of at least one thousand registered voters of the state of Washington. In order to nominate candidates for any other office, a nominating convention shall obtain and submit to the filing officer the signatures of one hundred persons who are registered to vote in the jurisdiction of the office for which the nominations are made.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 112   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     A nominating petition submitted under this chapter shall clearly identify the name of the minor party or independent candidate convention as it appears on the certificate of nomination as required by section 154(3) of this act. The petition shall also contain a statement that the person signing the petition is a registered voter of the state of Washington and shall have a space for the voter to sign his or her name and to print his or her name and address. No person may sign more than one nominating petition under this chapter for an office for an election.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 113   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     Not later than the Friday immediately preceding the first day for candidates to file, the secretary of state shall notify the county auditors of the names and designations of all minor party and independent candidates who have filed valid convention certificates and nominating petitions with that office. Except for the offices of president and vice president, persons nominated under this chapter shall file declarations of candidacy as provided by section 158 of this act and RCW 29A.24.070. The name of a candidate nominated at a convention shall not be printed upon the general election ballot unless he or she pays the fee required by law to be paid by candidates for the same office to be nominated at a primary.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 114   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The nominating petition authorized by section 160 of this act must be printed on sheets of uniform color and size, must include a place for each individual to sign and print his or her name and the address, city, and county at which he or she is registered to vote, and must contain no more than twenty numbered lines.
     (2) For candidates for nonpartisan office and candidates of a major political party for partisan office, the nominating petition must be in substantially the following form:

The warning prescribed by RCW 29A.72.140; followed by:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 115   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     A candidate may withdraw his or her declaration of candidacy at any time before the close of business on the Thursday following the last day for candidates to file under RCW 29A.24.050 by filing, with the officer with whom the declaration of candidacy was filed, a signed request that his or her name not be printed on the ballot. There shall be no withdrawal period for declarations of candidacy filed during special filing periods held under this title. The filing officer may permit the withdrawal of a filing for the office of precinct committee officer at the request of the candidate at any time if no absentee ballots have been issued for that office and the ballots for that precinct have not been printed. The filing officer may permit the withdrawal of a filing for any elected office of a city, town, or special district at the request of the candidate at any time before a primary if the primary ballots for that city, town, or special district have not been ordered. No filing fee may be refunded to any candidate who withdraws under this section. Notice of the deadline for withdrawal of candidacy and that the filing fee is not refundable shall be given to each candidate at the time he or she files.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 116   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     Filings for a partisan elective office shall be opened for a period of three normal business days whenever, on or after the first day of the regular filing period and before the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary, a vacancy occurs in that office, leaving an unexpired term to be filled by an election for which filings have not been held.
     Any such special three-day filing period shall be fixed by the election officer with whom declarations of candidacy for that office are filed. The election officer shall give notice of the special three-day filing period by notifying the press, radio, and television in the county or counties involved, and by such other means as may be required by law.
     Candidacies validly filed within the special three-day filing period shall appear on the ballot as if filed during the regular filing period.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 117   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     Any person who desires to be a write-in candidate and have such votes counted at a primary or election may file a declaration of candidacy with the officer designated in RCW 29A.24.070 not later than the day before the primary or election. Declarations of candidacy for write-in candidates must be accompanied by a filing fee in the same manner as required of other candidates filing for the office as provided in section 160 of this act.
     Votes cast for write-in candidates who have filed such declarations of candidacy and write-in votes for persons appointed by major political parties pursuant to section 192 of this act need only specify the name of the candidate in the appropriate location on the ballot in order to be counted. Write-in votes cast for any other candidate, in order to be counted, must designate the office sought and position number or political party, if the manner in which the write-in is done does not make the office or position clear.
     No person may file as a write-in candidate where:
     (1) At a general election, the person attempting to file either filed as a write-in candidate for the same office at the preceding primary or the person's name appeared on the ballot for the same office at the preceding primary;
     (2) The person attempting to file as a write-in candidate has already filed a valid write-in declaration for that primary or election, unless one or the other of the two filings is for the office of precinct committeeperson;
     (3) The name of the person attempting to file already appears on the ballot as a candidate for another office, unless one of the two offices for which he or she is a candidate is precinct committeeperson.
     The declaration of candidacy shall be similar to that required by section 158 of this act. No write-in candidate filing under this section may be included in any voter's pamphlet produced under chapter 29A.32 RCW unless that candidate qualifies to have his or her name printed on the general election ballot. The legislative authority of any jurisdiction producing a local voter's pamphlet under chapter 29A.32 RCW may provide, by ordinance, for the inclusion of write-in candidates in such pamphlets.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 118   A new section is added to chapter 29A.28 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever a vacancy occurs in the United States house of representatives or the United States senate from this state, the governor shall order a special election to fill the vacancy. Minor political party candidates and independent candidates may be nominated through the convention procedures provided in chapter 29A.20 RCW.
     (2) Within ten days of such vacancy occurring, he or she shall issue a writ of election fixing a date for the special vacancy election not less than ninety days after the issuance of the writ, fixing a date for the primary for nominating major political party candidates for the special vacancy election not less than thirty days before the day fixed for holding the special vacancy election, fixing the dates for the special filing period, and designating the term or part of the term for which the vacancy exists. If the vacancy is in the office of United States representative, the writ of election shall specify the congressional district that is vacant.
     (3) If the vacancy occurs less than six months before a state general election and before the second Friday following the close of the filing period for that general election, the special primary, special vacancy election, and minor party and independent candidate nominating conventions must be held in concert with the state primary and state general election in that year.
     (4) If the vacancy occurs on or after the first day for filing under RCW 29A.24.050 and on or before the second Friday following the close of the filing period, a special filing period of three normal business days shall be fixed by the governor and notice thereof given to all media, including press, radio, and television within the area in which the vacancy election is to be held, to the end that, insofar as possible, all interested persons will be aware of such filing period. The last day of the filing period shall not be later than the third Tuesday before the primary at which major political party candidates are to be nominated. The names of major political party candidates who have filed valid declarations of candidacy during this three-day period shall appear on the approaching primary ballot. The requirements of section 189 of this act do not apply to a minor political party or independent candidate convention held under this subsection.
     (5) If the vacancy occurs later than the second Friday following the close of the filing period, a special primary, special vacancy election, and the minor party and independent candidate conventions to fill the position shall be held after the next state general election but, in any event, no later than the ninetieth day following the November election.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 119   A new section is added to chapter 29A.28 RCW to read as follows:
     The general election laws and laws relating to partisan primaries shall apply to the special primaries and vacancy elections provided for in chapter 29A.28 RCW to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the provisions of these sections. Minor political party and independent candidates may appear only on the general election ballot. Statutory time deadlines relating to availability of absentee ballots, certification, canvassing, and related procedures that cannot be met in a timely fashion may be modified for the purposes of a specific primary or vacancy election under this chapter by the secretary of state through emergency rules adopted under section 151 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 120   A new section is added to chapter 29A.28 RCW to read as follows:
     If a vacancy occurs in the office of precinct committee officer 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 fill the vacancy by appointment. However, in a legislative district having a majority of its precincts in a county with a population of one million or more, the appointment may be made only upon the recommendation of the legislative district chair. The person so appointed must have the same qualifications as candidates when filing for election to the office for that precinct. When a vacancy in the office of precinct committee officer exists because of failure to elect at a state primary, the vacancy may not be filled until after the organization meeting of the county central committee and the new county chair has been selected as provided by RCW 29A.80.030.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 121   A new section is added to chapter 29A.32 RCW to read as follows:
     The voters' pamphlet must contain:
     (1) Information about each ballot measure initiated by or referred to the voters for their approval or rejection as required by RCW 29A.32.070;
     (2) In even-numbered years, statements, if submitted, advocating the candidacies of nominees for the office of president and vice president of the United States, United States senator, United States representative, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, superintendent of public instruction, insurance commissioner, state senator, state representative, justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, or judge of the superior court. Candidates may also submit a campaign mailing address and telephone number and a photograph not more than five years old and of a size and quality that the secretary of state determines to be suitable for reproduction in the voters' pamphlet;
     (3) In odd-numbered years, if any office voted upon statewide appears on the ballot due to a vacancy, then statements and photographs for candidates for any vacant office listed in subsection (2) of this section must appear;
     (4) In even-numbered years, a section explaining how voters may participate in the election campaign process; the address and telephone number of the public disclosure commission established under RCW 42.17.350; and a summary of the disclosure requirements that apply when contributions are made to candidates and political committees;
     (5) In even-numbered years the name, address, and telephone number of each political party with nominees listed in the pamphlet, if filed with the secretary of state by the state committee of a major political party or the presiding officer of the convention of a minor political party;
     (6) In each odd-numbered year immediately before a year in which a president of the United States is to be nominated and elected, information explaining the precinct caucus and convention process used by each major political party to elect delegates to its national presidential candidate nominating convention. The pamphlet must also provide a description of the statutory procedures by which minor political parties are formed and the statutory methods used by the parties to nominate candidates for president;
     (7) An application form for an absentee ballot;
     (8) A brief statement explaining the deletion and addition of language for proposed measures under RCW 29A.32.080;
     (9) Any additional information pertaining to elections as may be required by law or in the judgment of the secretary of state is deemed informative to the voters.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 122   A new section is added to chapter 29A.32 RCW to read as follows:
     If the secretary of state prints and distributes a voters' pamphlet for a primary in an even-numbered year, it must contain:
     (1) A description of the office of precinct committee officer and its duties;
     (2) An explanation that, for partisan offices, only voters who choose to affiliate with a major political party may vote in that party's primary election, and that voters must limit their participation in a partisan primary to one political party; and
     (3) An explanation that minor political party candidates and independent candidates will appear only on the general election ballot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 123   A new section is added to chapter 29A.32 RCW to read as follows:
     The local voters' pamphlet shall include but not be limited to the following:
     (1) Appearing on the cover, the words "official local voters' pamphlet," the name of the jurisdiction producing the pamphlet, and the date of the election or primary;
     (2) A list of jurisdictions that have measures or candidates in the pamphlet;
     (3) Information on how a person may register to vote and obtain an absentee ballot;
     (4) The text of each measure accompanied by an explanatory statement prepared by the prosecuting attorney for any county measure or by the attorney for the jurisdiction submitting the measure if other than a county measure. All explanatory statements for city, town, or district measures not approved by the attorney for the jurisdiction submitting the measure shall be reviewed and approved by the county prosecuting attorney or city attorney, when applicable, before inclusion in the pamphlet;
     (5) The arguments for and against each measure submitted by committees selected pursuant to RCW 29A.32.280; and
     (6) For partisan primary elections, information on how to vote the applicable ballot format and an explanation that minor political party candidates and independent candidates will appear only on the general election ballot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 124   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     On or before the day following the last day for major political parties to fill vacancies in the ticket as provided by section 191 of this act, the secretary of state shall certify to each county auditor a list of the candidates who have filed declarations of candidacy in his or her office for the primary. For each office, the certificate shall include the name of each candidate, his or her address, and his or her party designation, if any. Minor political party and independent candidates may appear only on the general election ballot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 125   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     Except for the candidates for the positions of president and vice president, for a partisan or nonpartisan office for which no primary is required, or for independent or minor party candidates, the names of all candidates who, under this title, filed a declaration of candidacy or were certified as a candidate to fill a vacancy on a major party ticket will appear on the appropriate ballot at the primary throughout the jurisdiction in which they are to be nominated.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 126   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     Partisan primaries must be conducted using either:
     (1) A consolidated ballot format that includes a major political party identification check-off box that allows a voter to select from a list of the major political parties the major political party with which the voter chooses to affiliate. The consolidated ballot must include all partisan races, nonpartisan races, and ballot measures to be voted on at that primary; or
     (2) A physically separate ballot format that includes both party ballots and a nonpartisan ballot. A party ballot must be specific to a particular major political party and may include only the partisan offices to be voted on at that primary and the names of candidates for those partisan offices who designated that same major political party in their declarations of candidacy. The nonpartisan ballot must include all nonpartisan races and ballot measures to be voted on at that primary.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 127   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If the consolidated ballot format is used, the major political party identification check-off box must appear on the primary ballot before all offices and ballot measures. Clear and concise instructions to the voter must be prominently displayed immediately before the list of major political parties, and must include:
     (a) A question asking the voter to indicate the major political party with which the voter chooses to affiliate;
     (b) A statement that, for a major political party candidate, only votes cast by voters who choose to affiliate with that same major political party will be tabulated and reported;
     (c) A statement that votes cast for a major political party candidate by a voter who chooses to affiliate with a different major political party will not be tabulated or reported;
     (d) A statement that votes cast for a major political party candidate by a voter who fails to select a major political party affiliation will not be tabulated or reported;
     (e) A statement that votes cast for a major political party candidate by a voter who selects more than one major political party with which to affiliate will not be tabulated or reported; and
     (f) A statement that the party identification option will not affect votes cast for candidates for nonpartisan offices, or for or against ballot measures.
     (2) If the physically separate ballot format is used, clear and concise instructions to the voter must be prominently displayed, and must include:
     (a) A statement explaining that only one party ballot and one nonpartisan ballot may be voted;
     (b) A statement explaining that if more than one party ballot is voted, none of the party ballots will be tabulated or reported;
     (c) A statement explaining that a voter's affiliation with a major political party will be inferred from the act of voting the party ballot for that major political party; and
     (d) A statement explaining that every eligible registered voter may vote a nonpartisan ballot, regardless of any party affiliation on the part of the voter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 128   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     Every ballot for a single combination of issues, offices, and candidates shall be uniform within a precinct and shall identify the type of primary or election, the county, and the date of the primary or election, and the ballot or voting device shall contain instructions on the proper method of recording a vote, including write-in votes. Each position, together with the names of the candidates for that office, shall be clearly separated from other offices or positions in the same jurisdiction. The offices in each jurisdiction shall be clearly separated from each other. No paper ballot or ballot card may be marked in any way that would permit the identification of the person who voted that ballot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 129   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1)(a) The positions or offices on a primary consolidated ballot shall be arranged in substantially the following order: United States senator; United States representative; governor; lieutenant governor; secretary of state; state treasurer; state auditor; attorney general; commissioner of public lands; superintendent of public instruction; insurance commissioner; state senator; state representative; county officers; justices of the supreme court; judges of the court of appeals; judges of the superior court; and judges of the district court. For all other jurisdictions on the primary consolidated ballot, the offices in each jurisdiction shall be grouped together and be in the order of the position numbers assigned to those offices, if any.
     (b)(i) The positions or offices on a primary party ballot must be arranged in substantially the following order: United States senator; United States representative; governor; lieutenant governor; secretary of state; state treasurer; state auditor; attorney general; commissioner of public lands; insurance commissioner; state senator; state representative; and partisan county officers. For all other jurisdictions on the primary party ballot, the offices in each jurisdiction must be grouped together and be in the order of the position numbers assigned to those offices, if any.
     (ii) The positions or offices on a primary nonpartisan ballot must be arranged in substantially the following order: Superintendent of public instruction; justices of the supreme court; judges of the court of appeals; judges of the superior court; and judges of the district court. For all other jurisdictions on the primary nonpartisan ballot, the offices in each jurisdiction must be grouped together and be in the order of the position numbers assigned to those offices, if any.
     (2) The order of the positions or offices on an election ballot shall be substantially the same as on a primary consolidated ballot except that state ballot issues must be placed before all offices. The offices of president and vice president of the United States shall precede all other offices on a presidential election ballot. The positions on a ballot to be assigned to ballot measures regarding local units of government shall be established by the secretary of state by rule.
     (3) The political party or independent candidacy of each candidate for partisan office shall be indicated next to the name of the candidate on the primary and election ballot. A candidate shall file a written notice with the filing officer within three business days after the close of the filing period designating the political party to be indicated next to the candidate's name on the ballot if either: (a) The candidate has been nominated by two or more minor political parties or independent conventions; or (b) the candidate has both filed a declaration of candidacy declaring an affiliation with a major political party and been nominated by a minor political party or independent convention. If no written notice is filed the filing officer shall give effect to the party designation shown upon the first document filed. A candidate may be deemed nominated by a minor party or independent convention only if all documentation required by chapter 29A.20 RCW has been timely filed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 130   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     After the close of business on the last day for candidates to file for office, the filing officer shall, from among those filings made in person and by mail, determine by lot the order in which the names of those candidates will appear on all primary, sample, and absentee ballots. The determination shall be done publicly and may be witnessed by the media and by any candidate. If no primary is required for any nonpartisan office under section 172 of this act or RCW 29A.52.220, or if any independent or minor party candidate files a declaration of candidacy, the names shall appear on the general election ballot in the order determined by lot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 131   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     Except in each county with a population of one million or more, on or before the fifteenth day before a primary or election, the county auditor shall prepare a sample ballot which shall be made readily available to members of the public. The secretary of state shall adopt rules governing the preparation of sample ballots in counties with a population of one million or more. The rules shall permit, among other alternatives, the preparation of more than one sample ballot by a county with a population of one million or more for a primary or election, each of which lists a portion of the offices and issues to be voted on in that county. The position of precinct committee officer shall be shown on the sample ballot for the primary, but the names of candidates for the individual positions need not be shown.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 132   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) On the top of each ballot must be printed clear and concise instructions directing the voter how to mark the ballot, including write-in votes. On the top of each primary ballot must be printed the instructions required by this chapter.
     (2) The questions of adopting constitutional amendments or any other state measure authorized by law to be submitted to the voters at that election must appear after the instructions and before any offices.
     (3) In a year that president and vice president appear on the general election ballot, the names of candidates for president and vice president for each political party must be grouped together with a single response position for a voter to indicate his or her choice.
     (4) On a general election ballot, the candidate or candidates of the major political party that received the highest number of votes from the electors of this state for the office of president of the United States at the last presidential election must appear first following the appropriate office heading. The candidate or candidates of the other major political parties will follow according to the votes cast for their nominees for president at the last presidential election, and independent candidates and the candidate or candidates of all other parties will follow in the order of their qualification with the secretary of state.
     (5) All paper ballots and ballot cards used at a polling place must be sequentially numbered in such a way to permit removal of such numbers without leaving any identifying marks on the ballot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 133   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     The name of a candidate for a partisan office for which a primary was conducted shall not be printed on the ballot for that office at the subsequent general election unless, at the preceding primary, the candidate receives a number of votes equal to at least one percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for that office and a plurality of the votes cast by voters affiliated with that party for candidates for that office affiliated with that party.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 134   A new section is added to chapter 29A.40 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The county auditor shall issue an absentee ballot for the primary or election for which it was requested, or for the next occurring primary or election when ongoing absentee status has been requested if the information contained in a request for an absentee ballot or ongoing absentee status received by the county auditor is complete and correct and the applicant is qualified to vote under federal or state law. Otherwise, the county auditor shall notify the applicant of the reason or reasons why the request cannot be accepted. Whenever two or more candidates have filed for the position of precinct committee officer for the same party in the same precinct, the contest for that position must be presented to absentee voters from that precinct by either including the contest on the regular absentee ballot or a separate absentee ballot. The ballot must provide space designated for writing in the name of additional candidates.
     (2) A registered voter may obtain a replacement ballot if the ballot is destroyed, spoiled, lost, or not received by the voter. The voter may obtain the ballot by telephone request, by mail, electronically, or in person. The county auditor shall keep a record of each replacement ballot provided under this subsection.
     (3) A copy of the state voters' pamphlet must be sent to registered voters temporarily outside the state, out-of-state voters, overseas voters, and service voters along with the absentee ballot if such a pamphlet has been prepared for the primary or election and is available to the county auditor at the time of mailing. The county auditor shall mail all absentee ballots and related material to voters outside the territorial limits of the United States and the District of Columbia under 39 U.S.C. 3406.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 135   A new section is added to chapter 29A.40 RCW to read as follows:
     The county auditor shall send each absentee voter a ballot, a security envelope in which to seal the ballot after voting, a larger envelope in which to return the security envelope, and instructions on how to mark the ballot and how to return it to the county auditor. The instructions that accompany an absentee ballot for a partisan primary must include instructions for voting the applicable ballot style, as provided in chapter 29A.36 RCW. The larger return envelope must contain a declaration by the absentee voter reciting his or her qualifications and stating that he or she has not voted in any other jurisdiction at this election, together with a summary of the penalties for any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. The return envelope must provide space for the voter to indicate the date on which the ballot was voted and for the voter to sign the oath. A summary of the applicable penalty provisions of this chapter must be printed on the return envelope immediately adjacent to the space for the voter's signature. The signature of the voter on the return envelope must affirm and attest to the statements regarding the qualifications of that voter and to the validity of the ballot. For out-of-state voters, overseas voters, and service voters, the signed declaration on the return envelope constitutes the equivalent of a voter registration for the election or primary for which the ballot has been issued. The voter must be instructed to either return the ballot to the county auditor by whom it was issued or attach sufficient first class postage, if applicable, and mail the ballot to the appropriate county auditor no later than the day of the election or primary for which the ballot was issued.
     If the county auditor chooses to forward absentee ballots, he or she must include with the ballot a clear explanation of the qualifications necessary to vote in that election and must also advise a voter with questions about his or her eligibility to contact the county auditor. This explanation may be provided on the ballot envelope, on an enclosed insert, or printed directly on the ballot itself. If the information is not included, the envelope must clearly indicate that the ballot is not to be forwarded and that return postage is guaranteed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 136   A new section is added to chapter 29A.44 RCW to read as follows:
     A voter desiring to vote shall give his or her name to the precinct election officer who has the precinct list of registered voters. This officer shall announce the name to the precinct election officer who has the copy of the inspector's poll book for that precinct. If the right of this voter to participate in the primary or election is not challenged, the voter must be issued a ballot or permitted to enter a voting booth or to operate a voting device. For a partisan primary in a jurisdiction using the physically separate ballot format, the voter must be issued a nonpartisan ballot and each party ballot. The number of the ballot or the voter must be recorded by the precinct election officers. If the right of the voter to participate is challenged, RCW 29A.08.810 and 29A.08.820 apply to that voter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 137   A new section is added to chapter 29A.44 RCW to read as follows:
     On signing the precinct list of registered voters or being issued a ballot, the voter shall, without leaving the polling place or disability access location, proceed to one of the voting booths or voting devices to cast his or her vote. When county election procedures so provide, the election officers may tear off and retain the numbered stub from the ballot before delivering it to the voter. If an election officer has not already done so, when the voter has finished, he or she shall either (1) remove the numbered stub from the ballot, place the ballot in the ballot box, and return the number to the election officers, or (2) deliver the entire ballot to the election officers, who shall remove the numbered stub from the ballot and place the ballot in the ballot box. For a partisan primary in a jurisdiction using the physically separate ballot format, the voter shall also return unvoted party ballots to the precinct election officers, who shall void the unvoted party ballots and return them to the county auditor. If poll-site ballot counting devices are used, the voter shall put the ballot in the device.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 138   A new section is added to chapter 29A.44 RCW to read as follows:
     As each voter casts his or her vote, the precinct election officers shall insert in the poll books or precinct list of registered voters opposite that voter's name, a notation to credit the voter with having participated in that primary or election. No record may be made of a voter's party affiliation in a partisan primary. The precinct election officers shall record the voter's name so that a separate record is kept.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 139   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     Major political party candidates for all partisan elected offices, except for president and vice president, precinct committee officer, and offices exempted from the primary under section 172 of this act, must be nominated at primaries held under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 140   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     It is the intent of the legislature to create a primary for all partisan elected offices, except for president and vice president, precinct committee officer, and offices exempted from the primary under section 172 of this act, that:
     (1) Allows each voter to participate;
     (2) Preserves the privacy of each voter's party affiliation;
     (3) Rejects mandatory voter registration by political party;
     (4) Protects ballot access for all candidates, including minor political party and independent candidates;
     (5) Maintains a candidate's right to self-identify with any major political party; and
     (6) Upholds a political party's First Amendment right of association.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 141   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     Instructions for voting a consolidated ballot or a physically separate ballot, whichever is applicable, must appear, at the very least, in:
     (1) Any primary voters' pamphlet prepared by the secretary of state or a local government if a partisan office will appear on the ballot;
     (2) Instructions that accompany any partisan primary ballot;
     (3) Any notice of a partisan primary published in compliance with section 145 of this act;
     (4) A sample ballot prepared by a county auditor under section 131 of this act for a partisan primary;
     (5) The web site of the office of the secretary of state and any existing web site of a county auditor's office; and
     (6) Every polling place.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 142   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Under a consolidated ballot format:
     (a) Votes for a major political party candidate will only be tabulated and reported if cast by voters who choose to affiliate with that same major political party;
     (b) Votes cast for a major political party candidate by a voter who chooses to affiliate with a different major political party may not be tabulated or reported;
     (c) Votes cast for a major political party candidate by a voter who fails to select a major political party affiliation may not be tabulated or reported;
     (d) Votes cast for a major political party candidate by a voter who selects more than one major political party with which to affiliate may not be tabulated or reported; and
     (e) Votes properly cast may not be affected by votes improperly cast for other races.
     (2) Under a physically separate ballot format:
     (a) Only one party ballot and one nonpartisan ballot may be voted;
     (b) If more than one party ballot is voted, none of the ballots will be tabulated or reported;
     (c) A voter's affiliation with a major political party will be inferred from the act of voting the party ballot for that major political party; and
     (d) Every eligible registered voter may vote a nonpartisan ballot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 143   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     So far as applicable, the provisions of this title relating to conducting general elections govern the conduct of primaries.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 144   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     Nothing in this chapter may be construed to mean that a voter may cast more than one vote for candidates for a given office.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 145   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     Not more than ten nor less than three days before the primary the county auditor shall publish notice of such primary in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the county. The notice must contain the proper party designations, the names and addresses of all persons who have filed a declaration of candidacy to be voted upon at that primary, instructions for voting the applicable ballot, as provided in chapter 29A.36 RCW, the hours during which the polls will be open, and the polling places for each precinct, giving the address of each polling place. The names of all candidates for nonpartisan offices must be published separately with designation of the offices for which they are candidates but without party designation. This is the only notice required for the holding of any primary.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 146   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     No later than the day following the certification of the returns of any primary, the secretary of state shall certify to the appropriate county auditors the names of all persons nominated for offices at a primary, or at an independent candidate or minor party convention.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 147   A new section is added to chapter 29A.60 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) For any office at any election or primary, any voter may write in on the ballot the name of any person for an office who has filed as a write-in candidate for the office in the manner provided by section 117 of this act and such vote shall be counted the same as if the name had been printed on the ballot and marked by the voter. For a partisan primary in a jurisdiction using the physically separate ballot format, a voter may write in on a party ballot only the names of write-in candidates who affiliate with that major political party. No write-in vote made for any person who has not filed a declaration of candidacy pursuant to section 117 of this act is valid if that person filed for the same office, either as a regular candidate or a write-in candidate, at the preceding primary. Any abbreviation used to designate office, position, or political party shall be accepted if the canvassing board can determine, to their satisfaction, the voter's intent.
     (2) The number of write-in votes cast for each office must be recorded and reported with the canvass for the election.
     (3) Write-in votes cast for an individual candidate for an office need not be tallied if the total number of write-in votes and under votes recorded by the vote tabulation system for the office is not greater than the number of votes cast for the candidate apparently nominated or elected, and the write-in votes could not have altered the outcome of the primary or election. In the case of write-in votes for statewide office or for any office whose jurisdiction encompasses more than one county, write-in votes for an individual candidate must be tallied whenever the county auditor is notified by either the office of the secretary of state or another auditor in a multicounty jurisdiction that it appears that the write-in votes could alter the outcome of the primary or election.
     (4) In the case of statewide offices or jurisdictions that encompass more than one county, if the total number of write-in votes and under votes recorded by the vote tabulation system for an office within a county is greater than the number of votes cast for a candidate apparently nominated or elected in a primary or election, the auditor shall tally all write-in votes for individual candidates for that office and notify the office of the secretary of state and the auditors of the other counties within the jurisdiction, that the write-in votes for individual candidates should be tallied.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 148   A new section is added to chapter 29A.80 RCW 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 section 158 of this act with the county auditor for the office of precinct committee officer of his or her party in that precinct. When elected at the primary, the precinct committee officer shall serve so long as the committee officer remains an eligible voter in that precinct.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 149   A new section is added to chapter 29A.80 RCW to read as follows:
     The statutory requirements for filing as a candidate at the primaries apply to candidates for precinct committee officer. The office must be voted upon at the primaries, and the names of all candidates must appear under the proper party and office designations on the ballot for the primary for each even-numbered year, and the one receiving the highest number of votes will be declared elected. However, 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. The term of office of precinct committee officer is two years, commencing the first day of December following the primary.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 150   A new section is added to chapter 29A.80 RCW to read as follows:
     Within forty-five days after the statewide general election in even-numbered years, the county chair of each major political party shall call separate meetings of all elected precinct committee officers in each legislative district for the purpose of electing a legislative district chair in such district. The district chair shall hold office until the next legislative district reorganizational meeting two years later, or until a successor is elected.
     The legislative district chair may be removed only by the majority vote of the elected precinct committee officers in the chair's district.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 151   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW to read as follows:
     The secretary of state as chief election officer shall make reasonable rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW not inconsistent with the federal and state election laws to effectuate any provision of this title and to facilitate the execution of its provisions in an orderly, timely, and uniform manner relating to any federal, state, county, city, town, and district elections. To that end the secretary shall assist local election officers by devising uniform forms and procedures.
     In addition to the rule-making authority granted otherwise by this section, the secretary of state shall make rules governing the following provisions:
     (1) The maintenance of voter registration records;
     (2) The preparation, maintenance, distribution, review, and filing of precinct maps;
     (3) Standards for the design, layout, and production of ballots;
     (4) The examination and testing of voting systems for certification;
     (5) The source and scope of independent evaluations of voting systems that may be relied upon in certifying voting systems for use in this state;
     (6) Standards and procedures for the acceptance testing of voting systems by counties;
     (7) Standards and procedures for testing the programming of vote tallying software for specific primaries and elections;
     (8) Standards and procedures for the preparation and use of each type of certified voting system including procedures for the operation of counting centers where vote tallying systems are used;
     (9) Standards and procedures to ensure the accurate tabulation and canvassing of ballots;
     (10) Consistency among the counties of the state in the preparation of ballots, the operation of vote tallying systems, and the canvassing of primaries and elections;
     (11) Procedures to ensure the secrecy of a voter's ballot when a small number of ballots are counted at the polls or at a counting center;
     (12) The use of substitute devices or means of voting when a voting device at the polling place is found to be defective, the counting of votes cast on the defective device, the counting of votes cast on the substitute device, and the documentation that must be submitted to the county auditor regarding such circumstances;
     (13) Procedures for the transportation of sealed containers of voted ballots or sealed voting devices;
     (14) The acceptance and filing of documents via electronic facsimile;
     (15) Voter registration applications and records;
     (16) The use of voter registration information in the conduct of elections;
     (17) The coordination, delivery, and processing of voter registration records accepted by driver licensing agents or the department of licensing;
     (18) The coordination, delivery, and processing of voter registration records accepted by agencies designated by the governor to provide voter registration services;
     (19) Procedures to receive and distribute voter registration applications by mail;
     (20) Procedures for a voter to change his or her voter registration address within a county by telephone;
     (21) Procedures for a voter to change the name under which he or she is registered to vote;
     (22) Procedures for canceling dual voter registration records and for maintaining records of persons whose voter registrations have been canceled;
     (23) Procedures for the electronic transfer of voter registration records between county auditors and the office of the secretary of state;
     (24) Procedures and forms for declarations of candidacy;
     (25) Procedures and requirements for the acceptance and filing of declarations of candidacy by electronic means;
     (26) Procedures for the circumstance in which two or more candidates have a name similar in sound or spelling so as to cause confusion for the voter;
     (27) Filing for office;
     (28) The order of positions and offices on a ballot;
     (29) Sample ballots;
     (30) Independent evaluations of voting systems;
     (31) The testing, approval, and certification of voting systems;
     (32) The testing of vote tallying software programming;
     (33) Standards and procedures to prevent fraud and to facilitate the accurate processing and canvassing of absentee ballots and mail ballots;
     (34) Standards and procedures to guarantee the secrecy of absentee ballots and mail ballots;
     (35) Uniformity among the counties of the state in the conduct of absentee voting and mail ballot elections;
     (36) Standards and procedures to accommodate out-of-state voters, overseas voters, and service voters;
     (37) The tabulation of paper ballots before the close of the polls;
     (38) The accessibility of polling places and registration facilities that are accessible to elderly and disabled persons;
     (39) The aggregation of precinct results if reporting the results of a single precinct could jeopardize the secrecy of a person's ballot;
     (40) Procedures for conducting a statutory recount;
     (41) Procedures for filling vacancies in congressional offices if the general statutory time requirements for availability of absentee ballots, certification, canvassing, and related procedures cannot be met;
     (42) Procedures for the statistical sampling of signatures for purposes of verifying and canvassing signatures on initiative, referendum, and recall election petitions;
     (43) Standards and deadlines for submitting material to the office of the secretary of state for the voters' pamphlet;
     (44) Deadlines for the filing of ballot titles for referendum bills and constitutional amendments if none have been provided by the legislature;
     (45) Procedures for the publication of a state voters' pamphlet;
     (46) Procedures for conducting special elections regarding nuclear waste sites if the general statutory time requirements for availability of absentee ballots, certification, canvassing, and related procedures cannot be met;
     (47) Procedures for conducting partisan primary elections;
     (48) Standards and procedures for the proper conduct of voting during the early voting period to provide accessability for the blind or visually impaired;
     (49) Standards for voting technology and systems used by the state or any political subdivision to be accessible for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation, including privacy and independence, as other voters;
     (50) All data formats for transferring voter registration data on electronic or machine-readable media for the purpose of administering the statewide voter registration list required by the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252);
     (51) Defining the interaction of electronic voter registration election management systems employed by each county auditor to maintain a local copy of each county's portion of the official state list of registered voters;
     (52) Provisions and procedures to implement the state-based administrative complaint procedure as required by the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252); and
     (53) Facilitating the payment of local government grants to local government election officers or vendors.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 152   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW to read as follows:
     "Primary" or "primary election" means a statutory procedure for nominating candidates to public office at the polls.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 153   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A person filing a declaration of candidacy for an office shall, at the time of filing, be a registered voter and possess the qualifications specified by law for persons who may be elected to the office.
     (2) Excluding the office of precinct committee officer or a temporary elected position such as a charter review board member or freeholder, no person may file for more than one office.
     (3) The name of a candidate for an office shall not appear on a ballot for that office unless, except as provided in RCW 3.46.067 and 3.50.057, the candidate is, at the time the candidate's declaration of candidacy is filed, properly registered to vote in the geographic area represented by the office. For the purposes of this section, each geographic area in which registered voters may cast ballots for an office is represented by that office. If a person elected to an office must be nominated from a district or similar division of the geographic area represented by the office, the name of a candidate for the office shall not appear on a primary ballot for that office unless the candidate is, at the time the candidate's declaration of candidacy is filed, properly registered to vote in that district or division. The officer with whom declarations of candidacy must be filed under this title shall review each such declaration filed regarding compliance with this subsection.
     (4) The requirements of voter registration and residence within the geographic area of a district do not apply to candidates for congressional office. Qualifications for the United States congress are specified in the United States Constitution.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 154   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     A certificate evidencing nominations made at a convention must:
     (1) Be in writing;
     (2) Contain the name of each person nominated, his or her residence, and the office for which he or she is named, and if the nomination is for the offices of president and vice president of the United States, a sworn statement from both nominees giving their consent to the nomination;
     (3) Identify the minor political party or the independent candidate on whose behalf the convention was held;
     (4) Be verified by the oath of the presiding officer and secretary;
     (5) Be accompanied by a nominating petition or petitions bearing the signatures and addresses of registered voters equal in number to that required by section 111 of this act;
     (6) Contain proof of publication of the notice of calling the convention; and
     (7) Be submitted to the appropriate filing officer not later than one week following the adjournment of the convention at which the nominations were made. If the nominations are made only for offices whose jurisdiction is entirely within one county, the certificate and nominating petitions must be filed with the county auditor. If a minor party or independent candidate convention nominates any candidates for offices whose jurisdiction encompasses more than one county, all nominating petitions and the convention certificates must be filed with the secretary of state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 155   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If two or more valid certificates of nomination are filed purporting to nominate different candidates for the same position using the same party name, the filing officer must give effect to both certificates. If conflicting claims to the party name are not resolved either by mutual agreement or by a judicial determination of the right to the name, the candidates must be treated as independent candidates. Disputes over the right to the name must not be permitted to delay the printing of either ballots or a voters' pamphlet. Other candidates nominated by the same conventions may continue to use the partisan affiliation unless a court of competent jurisdiction directs otherwise.
     (2) A person affected may petition the superior court of the county in which the filing officer is located for a judicial determination of the right to the name of a minor political party, either before or after documents are filed with the filing officer. The court shall resolve the conflict between competing claims to the use of the same party name according to the following principles: (a) The prior established public use of the name during previous elections by a party composed of or led by the same individuals or individuals in documented succession; (b) prior established public use of the name earlier in the same election cycle; (c) the nomination of a more complete slate of candidates for a number of offices or in a number of different regions of the state; (d) documented affiliation with a national or statewide party organization with an established use of the name; (e) the first date of filing of a certificate of nomination; and (f) such other indicia of an established right to use of the name as the court may deem relevant. If more than one filing officer is involved, and one of them is the secretary of state, the petition must be filed in the superior court for Thurston county. Upon resolving the conflict between competing claims, the court may also address any ballot designation for the candidate who does not prevail.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 156   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     A minor political party or independent candidate convention nominating candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States shall, not later than ten days after the adjournment of the convention, submit a list of presidential electors to the office of the secretary of state. The list shall contain the names and the mailing addresses of the persons selected and shall be verified by the presiding officer of the convention.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 157   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     Upon the receipt of the certificate of nomination, the officer with whom it is filed shall check the certificate and canvass the signatures on the accompanying nominating petitions to determine if the requirements of section 111 of this act have been met. Once the determination has been made, the filing officer shall notify the presiding officer of the convention and any other persons requesting the notification, of his or her decision regarding the sufficiency of the certificate or the nominating petitions. Any appeal regarding the filing officer's determination must be filed with the superior court of the county in which the certificate or petitions were filed not later than five days from the date the determination is made, and shall be heard and finally disposed of by the court within five days of the filing. Nominating petitions shall not be available for public inspection or copying.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 158   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     A candidate who desires to have his or her name printed on the ballot for election to an office other than president of the United States, vice president of the United States, or an office for which ownership of property is a prerequisite to voting shall complete and file a declaration of candidacy. The secretary of state shall adopt, by rule, a declaration of candidacy form for the office of precinct committee officer and a separate standard form for candidates for all other offices filing under this chapter. Included on the standard form shall be:
     (1) A place for the candidate to declare that he or she is a registered voter within the jurisdiction of the office for which he or she is filing, and the address at which he or she is registered;
     (2) A place for the candidate to indicate the position for which he or she is filing;
     (3) A place for the candidate to indicate a party designation, if applicable;
     (4) A place for the candidate to indicate the amount of the filing fee accompanying the declaration of candidacy or for the candidate to indicate that he or she is filing a nominating petition in lieu of the filing fee under section 160 of this act;
     (5) A place for the candidate to sign the declaration of candidacy, stating that the information provided on the form is true and swearing or affirming that he or she will support the Constitution and laws of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington.
     In the case of a declaration of candidacy filed electronically, submission of the form constitutes agreement that the information provided with the filing is true, that he or she will support the Constitutions and laws of the United States and the state of Washington, and that he or she agrees to electronic payment of the filing fee established in section 160 of this act.
     The secretary of state may require any other information on the form he or she deems appropriate to facilitate the filing process.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 159   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     Any candidate may mail his or her declaration of candidacy for an office to the filing officer. Such declarations of candidacy shall be processed by the filing officer in the following manner:
     (1) Any declaration received by the filing officer by mail before the tenth business day immediately preceding the first day for candidates to file for office shall be returned to the candidate submitting it, together with a notification that the declaration of candidacy was received too early to be processed. The candidate shall then be permitted to resubmit his or her declaration of candidacy during the filing period.
     (2) Any properly executed declaration of candidacy received by mail on or after the tenth business day immediately preceding the first day for candidates to file for office and before the close of business on the last day of the filing period shall be included with filings made in person during the filing period. In partisan and judicial elections the filing officer shall determine by lot the order in which the names of those candidates shall appear upon sample and absentee primary ballots.
     (3) Any declaration of candidacy received by the filing officer after the close of business on the last day for candidates to file for office shall be rejected and returned to the candidate attempting to file it.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 160   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     A filing fee of one dollar shall accompany each declaration of candidacy for precinct committee officer; a filing fee of ten dollars shall accompany the declaration of candidacy for any office with a fixed annual salary of one thousand dollars or less; a filing fee equal to one percent of the annual salary of the office at the time of filing shall accompany the declaration of candidacy for any office with a fixed annual salary of more than one thousand dollars per annum. No filing fee need accompany a declaration of candidacy for any office for which compensation is on a per diem or per meeting attended basis.
     A candidate who lacks sufficient assets or income at the time of filing to pay the filing fee required by this section shall submit with his or her declaration of candidacy a nominating petition. The petition shall contain not less than a number of signatures of registered voters equal to the number of dollars of the filing fee. The signatures shall be of voters registered to vote within the jurisdiction of the office for which the candidate is filing.
     When the candidacy is for:
     (1) A legislative or judicial office that includes territory from more than one county, the fee shall be paid to the secretary of state for equal division between the treasuries of the counties comprising the district.
     (2) A city or town office, the fee shall be paid to the county auditor who shall transmit it to the city or town clerk for deposit in the city or town treasury.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 161   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     Nominating petitions may be rejected for the following reasons:
     (1) The petition is not in the proper form;
     (2) The petition clearly bears insufficient signatures;
     (3) The petition is not accompanied by a declaration of candidacy;
     (4) The time within which the petition and the declaration of candidacy could have been filed has expired.
     If the petition is accepted, the officer with whom it is filed shall canvass the signatures contained on it and shall reject the signatures of those persons who are not registered voters and the signatures of those persons who are not registered to vote within the jurisdiction of the office for which the nominating petition is filed. He or she shall additionally reject any signature that appears on the nominating petitions of two or more candidates for the same office and shall also reject, each time it appears, the name of any person who signs the same petition more than once.
     If the officer with whom the petition is filed refuses to accept the petition or refuses to certify the petition as bearing sufficient valid signatures, the person filing the petition may appeal that action to the superior court. The application for judicial review shall take precedence over other cases and matters and shall be speedily heard and determined.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 162   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     A void in candidacy for a nonpartisan office occurs when an election for such office, except for the short term, has been scheduled and no valid declaration of candidacy has been filed for the position or all persons filing such valid declarations of candidacy have died or been disqualified.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 163   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     The election officer with whom declarations of candidacy are filed shall give notice of a void in candidacy for a nonpartisan office, by notifying press, radio, and television in the county and by such other means as may now or hereafter be provided by law. The notice shall state the office, and the time and place for filing declarations of candidacy.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 164   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     Filings to fill a void in candidacy for nonpartisan office must be made in the same manner and with the same official as required during the regular filing period for such office, except that nominating signature petitions that may be required of candidates filing for certain district offices during the normal filing period may not be required of candidates filing during the special three-day filing period.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 165   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     Filings for a nonpartisan office shall be reopened for a period of three normal business days, such three day period to be fixed by the election officer with whom such declarations of candidacy are filed and notice thereof given by notifying press, radio, and television in the county and by such other means as may now or hereafter be provided by law whenever before the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary:
     (1) A void in candidacy occurs;
     (2) A vacancy occurs in any nonpartisan office leaving an unexpired term to be filled by an election for which filings have not been held; or
     (3) A nominee for judge of the superior court entitled to a certificate of election pursuant to Article 4, section 29, Amendment 41 of the state Constitution, dies or is disqualified.
     Candidacies validly filed within said three-day period shall appear on the ballot as if made during the earlier filing period.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 166   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     Filings for a nonpartisan office (other than judge of the supreme court or superintendent of public instruction) shall be reopened for a period of three normal business days, such three day period to be fixed by the election officer with whom such declarations of candidacy are filed and notice thereof given by notifying press, radio, and television in the county and by such other means as may now or hereafter be provided by law, when:
     (1) A void in candidacy for such nonpartisan office occurs on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary but prior to the sixth Tuesday before an election; or
     (2) A nominee for judge of the superior court eligible after a contested primary for a certificate of election by Article 4, section 29, Amendment 41 of the state Constitution, dies or is disqualified within the ten day period immediately following the last day allotted for a candidate to withdraw; or
     (3) A vacancy occurs in any nonpartisan office on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary but prior to the sixth Tuesday before an election leaving an unexpired term to be filled by an election for which filings have not been held.
     The candidate receiving a plurality of the votes cast for that office in the general election shall be deemed elected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 167   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     A scheduled election shall be lapsed, the office deemed stricken from the ballot, no purported write-in votes counted, and no candidate certified as elected, when:
     (1) In an election for judge of the supreme court or superintendent of public instruction, a void in candidacy occurs on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary, public filings and the primary being an indispensable phase of the election process for such offices;
     (2) Except as otherwise specified in section 166 of this act, a nominee for judge of the superior court entitled to a certificate of election pursuant to Article 4, section 29, Amendment 41 of the state Constitution dies or is disqualified on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to a primary;
     (3) In other elections for nonpartisan office a void in candidacy occurs or a vacancy occurs involving an unexpired term to be filled on or after the sixth Tuesday prior to an election.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 168   A new section is added to chapter 29A.32 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The maximum number of words for statements submitted by candidates is as follows: State representative, one hundred words; state senator, judge of the superior court, judge of the court of appeals, justice of the supreme court, and all state offices voted upon throughout the state, except that of governor, two hundred words; president and vice president, United States senator, United States representative, and governor, three hundred words.
     (2) Arguments written by committees under RCW 29A.32.060 may not exceed two hundred fifty words in length.
     (3) Rebuttal arguments written by committees may not exceed seventy-five words in length.
     (4) The secretary of state shall allocate space in the pamphlet based on the number of candidates or nominees for each office.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 169   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided to the contrary in RCW 82.14.036, 82.46.021, or 82.80.090, the ballot title of any referendum filed on an enactment or portion of an enactment of a local government and any other question submitted to the voters of a local government consists of three elements: (a) An identification of the enacting legislative body and a statement of the subject matter; (b) a concise description of the measure; and (c) a question. The ballot title must conform with the requirements and be displayed substantially as provided under RCW 29A.72.050, except that the concise description must not exceed seventy-five words. If the local governmental unit is a city or a town, the concise statement shall be prepared by the city or town attorney. If the local governmental unit is a county, the concise statement shall be prepared by the prosecuting attorney of the county. If the unit is a unit of local government other than a city, town, or county, the concise statement shall be prepared by the prosecuting attorney of the county within which the majority area of the unit is located.
     (2) A referendum measure on the enactment of a unit of local government shall be advertised in the manner provided for nominees for elective office.
     (3) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply if another provision of law specifies the ballot title for a specific type of ballot question or proposition.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 170   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in RCW 29A.36.180 and in subsection (2) of this section, on the ballot at the general election for a nonpartisan office for which a primary was held, only the names of the candidate who received the greatest number of votes and the candidate who received the next greatest number of votes for that office shall appear under the title of that office, and the names shall appear in that order. If a primary was conducted, no candidate's name may be printed on the subsequent general election ballot unless he or she receives at least one percent of the total votes cast for that office at the preceding primary. On the ballot at the general election for any other nonpartisan office for which no primary was held, the names of the candidates shall be listed in the order determined under section 130 of this act.
     (2) On the ballot at the general election for the office of justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, judge of the superior court, judge of the district court, or state superintendent of public instruction, if a candidate in a contested primary receives a majority of all the votes cast for that office or position, only the name of that candidate may be printed under the title of the office for that position.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 171   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     The names of the persons certified as nominees by the secretary of state or the county canvassing board shall be printed on the ballot at the ensuing election.
     No name of any candidate whose nomination at a primary is required by law shall be placed upon the ballot at a general or special election unless it appears upon the certificate of either (1) the secretary of state, or (2) the county canvassing board, or (3) a minor party convention or the state or county central committee of a major political party to fill a vacancy on its ticket under section 192 of this act.
     Excluding the office of precinct committee officer or a temporary elected position such as a charter review board member or freeholder, a candidate's name shall not appear more than once upon a ballot for a position regularly nominated or elected at the same election.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 172   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     Whenever it shall be necessary to hold a special election in an odd-numbered year to fill an unexpired term of any office which is scheduled to be voted upon for a full term in an even-numbered year, no September primary election shall be held in the odd-numbered year if, after the last day allowed for candidates to withdraw, either of the following circumstances exist:
     (1) No more than one candidate of each qualified political party has filed a declaration of candidacy for the same partisan office to be filled; or
     (2) No more than two candidates have filed a declaration of candidacy for a single nonpartisan office to be filled.
     In either event, the officer with whom the declarations of candidacy were filed shall immediately notify all candidates concerned and the names of the candidates that would have been printed upon the September primary ballot, but for the provisions of this section, shall be printed as nominees for the positions sought upon the November general election ballot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 173   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     Candidates for the following offices shall be nominated at partisan primaries held pursuant to the provisions of this chapter:
     (1) Congressional offices;
     (2) All state offices except (a) judicial offices and (b) the office of superintendent of public instruction;
     (3) All county offices except (a) judicial offices and (b) those offices where a county home rule charter provides otherwise.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 174   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     The offices of superintendent of public instruction, justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, judge of the superior court, and judge of the district court shall be nonpartisan and the candidates therefor shall be nominated and elected as such.
     All city, town, and special purpose district elective offices shall be nonpartisan and the candidates therefor shall be nominated and elected as such.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 175   A new section is added to chapter 29A.52 RCW to read as follows:
     Except as provided in RCW 29A.32.260, notice for any state, county, district, or municipal election, whether special or general, must be given by at least one publication not more than ten nor less than three days before the election by the county auditor or the officer conducting the election as the case may be, in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the county. The legal notice must contain the title of each office under the proper party designation, the names and addresses of all officers who have been nominated for an office to be voted upon at that election, together with the ballot titles of all measures, the hours during which the polls will be open, and the polling places for each precinct, giving the address of each polling place. The names of all candidates for nonpartisan offices must be published separately with designation of the offices for which they are candidates but without party designation. This is the only notice required for a state, county, district, or municipal general or special election and supersedes the provisions of any and all other statutes, whether general or special in nature, having different requirements for the giving of notice of any general or special elections.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 176   A new section is added to chapter 29A.60 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If the requisite number of any federal, state, county, city, or district offices have not been nominated in a primary by reason of two or more persons having an equal and requisite number of votes for being placed on the general election ballot, the official empowered by state law to certify candidates for the general election ballot shall give notice to the several persons so having the equal and requisite number of votes to attend at the appropriate office at the time designated by that official, who shall then and there proceed publicly to decide by lot which of those persons will be declared nominated and placed on the general election ballot.
     (2) If the requisite number of any federal, state, county, city, district, or precinct officers have not been elected by reason of two or more persons having an equal and highest number of votes for one and the same office, the official empowered by state law to issue the original certificate of election shall give notice to the several persons so having the highest and equal number of votes to attend at the appropriate office at the time to be appointed by that official, who shall then and there proceed publicly to decide by lot which of those persons will be declared duly elected, and the official shall make out and deliver to the person thus duly declared elected a certificate of election.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 177   A new section is added to chapter 29A.64 RCW to read as follows:
     An officer of a political party or any person for whom votes were cast in a primary who was not declared nominated may file a written application for a recount of the votes or a portion of the votes cast at that primary for all persons for whom votes were cast for nomination to that office.
     An officer of a political party or any person for whom votes were cast at any election may file a written application for a recount of the votes or a portion of the votes cast at that election for all candidates for election to that office.
     Any group of five or more registered voters may file a written application for a recount of the votes or a portion of the votes cast upon any question or issue. They shall designate one of the members of the group as chair and shall indicate the voting residence of each member of the group.
     An application for a recount of the votes cast for an office or on a ballot measure must be filed with the officer with whom filings are made for the jurisdiction.
     An application for a recount must specify whether the recount will be done manually or by the vote tally system. A recount done by the vote tally system must use programming that recounts and reports only the office or ballot measure in question. The county shall also provide for a test of the logic and accuracy of that program.
     An application for a recount must be filed within three business days after the county canvassing board or secretary of state has declared the official results of the primary or election for the office or issue for which the recount is requested.
     This chapter applies to the recounting of votes cast by paper ballots and to the recounting of votes recorded on ballots counted by a vote tally system.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 178   A new section is added to chapter 29A.64 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If the official canvass of all of the returns for any office at any primary or election reveals that the difference in the number of votes cast for a candidate apparently nominated or elected to any office and the number of votes cast for the closest apparently defeated opponent is less than two thousand votes and also less than one-half of one percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates, the county canvassing board shall conduct a recount of all votes cast on that position.
     (a) Whenever such a difference occurs in the number of votes cast for candidates for a position the declaration of candidacy for which was filed with the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall, within three business days of the day that the returns of the primary or election are first certified by the canvassing boards of those counties, direct those boards to recount all votes cast on the position.
     (b) If the difference in the number of votes cast for the apparent winner and the closest apparently defeated opponent is less than one hundred fifty votes and also less than one-fourth of one percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates, the votes shall be recounted manually or as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
     (2) A mandatory recount shall be conducted in the manner provided by RCW 29A.64.030, and sections 179 and 180 of this act. No cost of a mandatory recount may be charged to any candidate.
     (3) The apparent winner and closest apparently defeated opponent for an office for which a manual recount is required under subsection (1)(b) of this section may select an alternative method of conducting the recount. To select such an alternative, the two candidates shall agree to the alternative in a signed, written statement filed with the election official for the office. The recount shall be conducted using the alternative method if: It is suited to the balloting system that was used for casting the votes for the office; it involves the use of a vote tallying system that is approved for use in this state by the secretary of state; and the vote tallying system is readily available in each county required to conduct the recount. If more than one balloting system was used in casting votes for the office, an alternative to a manual recount may be selected for each system.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 179   A new section is added to chapter 29A.64 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) At the time and place established for a recount, the canvassing board or its duly authorized representatives, in the presence of all witnesses who may be in attendance, shall open the sealed containers containing the ballots to be recounted, and shall recount the votes for the offices or issues for which the recount has been ordered. Ballots shall be handled only by the members of the canvassing board or their duly authorized representatives.
     Witnesses shall be permitted to observe the ballots and the process of tabulating the votes, but they shall not be permitted to handle the ballots. The canvassing board shall not permit the tabulation of votes for any nomination, election, or issue other than the ones for which a recount was applied for or required.
     (2) At any time before the ballots from all of the precincts listed in the application for the recount have been recounted, the applicant may file with the board a written request to stop the recount.
     (3) The recount may be observed by persons representing the candidates affected by the recount or the persons representing both sides of an issue that is being recounted. The observers may not make a record of the names, addresses, or other information on the ballots, poll books, or applications for absentee ballots unless authorized by the superior court. The secretary of state or county auditor may limit the number of observers to not less than two on each side if, in his or her opinion, a greater number would cause undue delay or disruption of the recount process.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 180   A new section is added to chapter 29A.64 RCW to read as follows:
     Upon completion of the canvass of a recount, the canvassing board shall prepare and certify an amended abstract showing the votes cast in each precinct for which the recount was conducted. Copies of the amended abstracts must be transmitted to the same officers who received the abstract on which the recount was based.
     If the nomination, election, or issue for which the recount was conducted was submitted only to the voters of a county, the canvassing board shall file the amended abstract with the original results of that election or primary.
     If the nomination, election, or issue for which a recount was conducted was submitted to the voters of more than one county, the secretary of state shall canvass the amended abstracts and shall file an amended abstract with the original results of that election. An amended abstract certified under this section supersedes any prior abstract of the results for the same offices or issues at the same primary or election.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 181   A new section is added to chapter 29A.64 RCW to read as follows:
     The canvassing board shall determine the expenses for conducting a recount of votes.
     The cost of the recount shall be deducted from the amount deposited by the applicant for the recount at the time of filing the request for the recount, and the balance shall be returned to the applicant. If the costs of the recount exceed the deposit, the applicant shall pay the difference. No charges may be deducted by the canvassing board from the deposit for a recount if the recount changes the result of the nomination or election for which the recount was ordered.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 182   A new section is added to chapter 29A.68 RCW to read as follows:
     Any justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, or judge of the superior court in the proper county shall, by order, require any person charged with error, wrongful act, or neglect to forthwith correct the error, desist from the wrongful act, or perform the duty and to do as the court orders or to show cause forthwith why the error should not be corrected, the wrongful act desisted from, or the duty or order not performed, whenever it is made to appear to such justice or judge by affidavit of an elector that:
     (1) An error or omission has occurred or is about to occur in printing the name of any candidate on official ballots; or
     (2) An error other than as provided in subsections (1) and (3) of this section has been committed or is about to be committed in printing the ballots; or
     (3) The name of any person has been or is about to be wrongfully placed upon the ballots; or
     (4) A wrongful act other than as provided for in subsections (1) and (3) of this section has been performed or is about to be performed by any election officer; or
     (5) Any neglect of duty on the part of an election officer other than as provided for in subsections (1) and (3) of this section has occurred or is about to occur; or
     (6) An error or omission has occurred or is about to occur in the issuance of a certificate of election.
     An affidavit of an elector under subsections (1) and (3) above when relating to a primary election must be filed with the appropriate court no later than the second Friday following the closing of the filing period for nominations for such office and shall be heard and finally disposed of by the court not later than five days after the filing thereof. An affidavit of an elector under subsections (1) and (3) of this section when relating to a general election must be filed with the appropriate court no later than three days following the official certification of the primary election returns and shall be heard and finally disposed of by the court not later than five days after the filing thereof. An affidavit of an elector under subsection (6) of this section shall be filed with the appropriate court no later than ten days following the issuance of a certificate of election.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 183   A new section is added to chapter 29A.80 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each political party organization may:
     (a) Make its own rules and regulations; and
     (b) Perform all functions inherent in such an organization.
     (2) Only major political parties may designate candidates to appear on the state primary ballot as provided in section 191 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 184   A new section is added to chapter 29A.84 RCW to read as follows:
     The following apply to persons signing nominating petitions prescribed by section 114 of this act:
     (1) A person who signs a petition with any other than his or her name shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
     (2) A person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if the person knowingly: Signs more than one petition for any single candidacy of any single candidate; signs the petition when he or she is not a legal voter; or makes a false statement as to his or her residence.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 185   A new section is added to chapter 29A.84 RCW to read as follows:
     Every person who:
     (1) Knowingly provides false information on his or her declaration of candidacy or petition of nomination; or
     (2) Conceals or fraudulently defaces or destroys a certificate that has been filed with an elections officer under chapter 29A.20 RCW or a declaration of candidacy or petition of nomination that has been filed with an elections officer, or any part of such a certificate, declaration, or petition, is guilty of a class C felony punishable under RCW 9A.20.021.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 186   A new section is added to chapter 29A.84 RCW to read as follows:
     Every person who:
     (1) Knowingly and falsely issues a certificate of nomination or election; or
     (2) Knowingly provides false information on a certificate which must be filed with an elections officer under chapter 29A.20 RCW, is guilty of a class C felony punishable under RCW 9A.20.021.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 187   A new section is added to chapter 29A.04 RCW to read as follows:
     "September primary" means the primary election held in September to nominate candidates to be voted for at the ensuing election.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 188   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     A "convention" for the purposes of this chapter, is an organized assemblage of registered voters representing an independent candidate or candidates or a new or minor political party, organization, or principle. As used in this chapter, the term "election jurisdiction" shall mean the state or any political subdivision or jurisdiction of the state from which partisan officials are elected. This term shall include county commissioner districts or council districts for members of a county legislative authority, counties for county officials who are nominated and elected on a county-wide basis, legislative districts for members of the legislature, congressional districts for members of Congress, and the state for president and vice president, members of the United States senate, and state officials who are elected on a statewide basis.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 189   A new section is added to chapter 29A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     Each minor party or independent candidate must publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the county in which the party or the candidate intends to hold a convention. The notice must appear at least ten days before the convention is to be held, and shall state the date, time, and place of the convention. Additionally, it shall include the mailing address of the person or organization sponsoring the convention.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 190   A new section is added to chapter 29A.24 RCW to read as follows:
     If after both the normal filing period and special three day filing period as provided by sections 165 and 166 of this act have passed, no candidate has filed for any single city, town, or district position to be filled, the election for such position shall be deemed lapsed, the office deemed stricken from the ballot and no write-in votes counted. In such instance, the incumbent occupying such position shall remain in office and continue to serve until a successor is elected at the next election when such positions are voted upon.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 191   A new section is added to chapter 29A.28 RCW to read as follows:
     If a place on the ticket of a major political party is vacant because no person has filed for nomination as the candidate of that major political party, after the last day allowed for candidates to withdraw as provided by section 115 of this act, and if the vacancy is for a state or county office to be voted on solely by the electors of a single county, the county central committee of the major political party may select and certify a candidate to fill the vacancy. If the vacancy is for any other office the state central committee of the major political party may select and certify a candidate to fill the vacancy. The certificate must set forth the cause of the vacancy, the name of the person nominated, the office for which the person is nominated, and other pertinent information required in an ordinary certificate of nomination and be filed in the proper office no later than the first Friday after the last day allowed for candidates to withdraw, together with the candidate's fee applicable to that office and a declaration of candidacy.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 192   A new section is added to chapter 29A.28 RCW to read as follows:
     A vacancy caused by the death or disqualification of any candidate or nominee of a major or minor political party may be filled at any time up to and including the day prior to the election for that position. For state partisan offices in any political subdivision voted on solely by electors of a single county, an individual shall be appointed to fill such vacancy by the county central committee in the case of a major political party or by the state central committee or comparable governing body in the case of a minor political party. For other partisan offices, including federal or statewide offices, an individual shall be appointed to fill such vacancy by the state central committee or comparable governing body of the appropriate political party.
     If the vacancy occurs no later than the sixth Tuesday prior to the state primary or general election concerned and the ballots have been printed, it shall be mandatory that they be corrected by the appropriate election officers. In making such correction, it shall not be necessary to reprint complete ballots if any other less expensive technique can be used and the resulting correction is reasonably clear.
     If the vacancy occurs after the sixth Tuesday prior to the state primary or general election and time does not exist in which to correct ballots (including absentee ballots), either in total or in part, then the votes cast or recorded for the person who has died or become disqualified shall be counted for the person who has been named to fill such vacancy.
     When the secretary of state is the person with whom the appointment by the major or minor political party is filed, the secretary shall, in certifying candidates or nominations to the various county officers insert the name of the person appointed to fill a vacancy.
     If the secretary of state has already sent forth the certificate when the appointment to fill a vacancy is filed, the secretary shall forthwith certify to the county auditors of the proper counties the name and place of residence of the person appointed to fill a vacancy, the office for which the person is a candidate or nominee, the party the person represents, and all other pertinent facts pertaining to the vacancy.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 193   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 29A.04.007 (Ballot and related terms) and 2003 c 111 s 102, 1994 c 57 s 2, 1990 c 59 s 2, & 1977 ex.s. c 361 s 1;
     (2) RCW 29A.04.085 (Major political party) and section 3 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 115, 1977 ex.s. c 329 s 9, & 1965 c 9 s 29.01.090;
     (3) RCW 29A.04.127 (Primary) and section 5 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 122;
     (4) RCW 29A.04.215 (County auditor -- Duties -- Exceptions) and 2003 c 111 s 134, 1987 c 295 s 1, 1977 ex.s. c 361 s 2, 1971 ex.s. c 202 s 1, 1965 c 123 s 1, & 1965 c 9 s 29.04.020;
     (5) RCW 29A.04.310 (Primaries) and section 6 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 143, 1977 ex.s. c 361 s 29, 1965 ex.s. c 103 s 6, & 1965 c 9 s 29.13.070;
     (6) RCW 29A.04.320 (State and local general elections -- Statewide general election -- Exceptions -- Special county elections) and 2003 c 111 s 144, 1994 c 142 s 1, 1992 c 37 s 1, 1989 c 4 s 9 (Initiative Measure No. 99), 1980 c 3 s 1, 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 111 s 1, 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 1, 1973 2nd ex.s. c 36 s 1, 1973 c 4 s 1, 1965 c 123 s 2, & 1965 c 9 s 29.13.010;
     (7) RCW 29A.04.610 (Rules by secretary of state) and 2003 c 111 s 161, 1971 ex.s. c 202 s 2, & 1965 c 9 s 29.04.080;
     (8) RCW 29A.12.100 (Requirements of tallying systems for approval) and 2003 c 111 s 310;
     (9) RCW 29A.20.020 (Qualifications for filing, appearance on ballot) and section 7 of this act, 2004 c ... (Senate Bill No. 6417) s 11, 2003 c 111 s 502, 1999 c 298 s 9, 1993 c 317 s 10, & 1991 c 178 s 1;
     (10) RCW 29A.20.120 (Nomination by convention or write-in -- Dates -- Special filing period) and section 8 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 506;
     (11) RCW 29A.20.140 (Convention -- Requirements for validity) and section 9 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 508;
     (12) RCW 29A.20.150 (Nominating petition -- Requirements) and section 10 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 509;
     (13) RCW 29A.20.160 (Certificate of nomination -- Requisites) and section 11 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 510, 1989 c 215 s 4, 1977 ex.s. c 329 s 4, & 1965 c 9 s 29.24.040;
     (14) RCW 29A.20.170 (Multiple certificates of nomination) and section 12 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 511;
     (15) RCW 29A.20.180 (Presidential electors -- Selection at convention) and section 13 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 512;
     (16) RCW 29A.20.190 (Certificate of nomination -- Checking signatures -- Appeal of determination) and section 14 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 513;
     (17) RCW 29A.24.030 (Declaration of candidacy) and section 15 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 603, 2002 c 140 s 1, & 1990 c 59 s 82.
     (18) RCW 29A.24.080 (Declaration -- Filing by mail) and section 17 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 608;
     (19) RCW 29A.24.090 (Declaration -- Fees and petitions) and section 18 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 609;
     (20) RCW 29A.24.100 (Nominating petition -- Form) and section 19 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 610, & 1984 c 142 s 5;
     (21) RCW 29A.24.110 (Petitions -- Rejection -- Acceptance, canvass of signatures -- Judicial review) and section 20 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 611;
     (22) RCW 29A.24.130 (Withdrawal of candidacy) and 2003 c 111 s 613;
     (23) RCW 29A.24.140 (Void in candidacy -- Exception) and section 21 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 614;
     (24) RCW 29A.24.150 (Notice of void in candidacy) and section 22 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 615;
     (25) RCW 29A.24.160 (Filings to fill void in candidacy -- How made) and section 23 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 616, & 1972 ex.s. c 61 s 6;
     (26) RCW 29A.24.170 (Reopening of filing -- Before sixth Tuesday before primary) and section 24 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 617;
     (27) RCW 29A.24.180 (Reopening of filing -- After sixth Tuesday before primary) and section 25 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 618;
     (28) RCW 29A.24.190 (Scheduled election lapses, when) and section 26 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 619, 2002 c 108 s 1, 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 120 s 12, & 1972 ex.s. c 61 s 4;
     (29) RCW 29A.24.310 (Write-in voting -- Candidates, declaration) and section 27 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 622, 1999 c 157 s 1, 1995 c 158 s 1, 1990 c 59 s 100, & 1988 c 181 s 1;
     (30) RCW 29A.28.040 (Congress -- Special election) and section 29 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 704, 1990 c 59 s 105, 1985 c 45 s 4, 1973 2nd ex.s. c 36 s 3, & 1965 c 9 s 29.68.080;
     (31) RCW 29A.28.060 (Congress -- General, primary election laws to apply -- Time deadlines, modifications) and section 30 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 706, 1985 c 45 s 7, & 1965 c 9 s 29.68.130;
     (32) RCW 29A.28.070 (Precinct committee officer) and 2003 c 111 s 707;
     (33) RCW 29A.32.030 (Contents) and section 31 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 803;
     (34) RCW 29A.32.120 (Candidates' statements -- Length) and section 32 of this act, 2004 c ... (Senate Bill No. 6417) s 12, 2003 c 254 s 6, 2003 c 111 s 812, & 1999 c 260 s 11;
     (35) RCW 29A.32.240 (Contents) and 2003 c 111 s 816 & 1984 c 106 s 6;
     (36) RCW 29A.36.010 (Certifying primary candidates) and section 33 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 901;
     (37) RCW 29A.36.070 (Local measures--Ballot title -- Formulation -- Advertising) and section 34 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 907;
     (38) RCW 29A.36.100 (Names on primary ballot) and section 35 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 910, & 1990 c 59 s 93;
     (39) RCW 29A.36.110 (Uniformity, arrangement, contents required) and 2003 c 111 s 911;
     (40) RCW 29A.36.120 (Order of offices and issues -- Party indication) and 2003 c 111 s 912;
     (41) RCW 29A.36.130 (Order of candidates on ballots) and 2003 c 111 s 913;
     (42) RCW 29A.36.140 (Primaries -- Rotating names of candidates) and 2003 c 111 s 914;
     (43) RCW 29A.36.150 (Sample ballots) and 2003 c 111 s 915;
     (44) RCW 29A.36.160 (Arrangement of instructions, measures, offices -- Order of candidates -- Numbering of ballots) and 2003 c 111 s 916, 1990 c 59 s 13, 1986 c 167 s 11, 1982 c 121 s 1, & 1977 ex.s. c 361 s 60;
     (45) RCW 29A.36.170 (Nonpartisan candidates qualified for general election) and section 36 of this act, 2004 c ... (Senate Bill No. 6518) s 1, & 2003 c 111 s 917;
     (46) RCW 29A.36.200 (Names qualified to appear on election ballot) and section 37 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 920;
     (47) RCW 29A.40.060 (Issuance of ballot and other materials) and 2003 c 111 s 1006, 2001 c 241 s 6, & 1991 c 81 s 31;
     (48) RCW 29A.40.090 (Envelopes and instructions) and 2003 c 111 s 1009;
     (49) RCW 29A.44.200 (Issuing ballot to voter -- Challenge) and 2003 c 111 s 1119, 1990 c 59 s 40, & 1965 c 9 s 29.51.050;
     (50) RCW 29A.44.220 (Casting vote) and 2003 c 111 s 1121, 1990 c 59 s 43, 1988 c 181 s 4, 1965 ex.s. c 101 s 15, & 1965 c 9 s 29.51.100;
     (51) RCW 29A.44.230 (Record of participation) and 2003 c 111 s 1122;
     (52) RCW 29A.52.010 (Elections to fill unexpired term -- No primary, when) and section 38 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1301;
     (53) RCW 29A.52.110 (Application of chapter) and section 39 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1302;
     (54) RCW 29A.52.120 (General election laws govern primaries) and 2003 c 111 s 1303;
     (55) RCW 29A.52.230 (Nonpartisan offices specified) and section 41 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1307;
     (56) RCW 29A.52.310 (Notice of primary) and 2003 c 111 s 1309 & 1965 c 9 s 29.27.030;
     (57) RCW 29A.52.320 (Certification of nominees) and section 42 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1310;
     (58) RCW 29A.52.350 (Election -- Certification of measures) and section 43 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 1313, 1999 c 4 s 1, 1984 c 106 s 12, 1980 c 35 s 8, & 1965 c 9 s 29.27.080;
     (59) RCW 29A.60.020 (Write-in voting -- Declaration of candidacy -- Counting of vote) and section 44 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1502;
     (60) RCW 29A.60.220 (Tie in primary or final election) and section 45 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 1522, & 1965 c 9 s 29.62.080;
     (61) RCW 29A.64.010 (Application -- Requirements -- Application of chapter) and section 46 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 1601, 2001 c 225 s 3, 1987 c 54 s 3, 1977 ex.s. c 361 s 98, & 1965 c 9 s 29.64.010;
     (62) RCW 29A.64.020 (Mandatory) and section 47 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1602;
     (63) RCW 29A.64.040 (Procedure -- Observers -- Request to stop) and section 48 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1604;
     (64) RCW 29A.64.060 (Amended abstracts) and section 49 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1606;
     (65) RCW 29A.64.080 (Expenses -- Charges) and section 50 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1608;
     (66) RCW 29A.68.010 (Prevention and correction of election frauds and errors) and section 51 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 1701;
     (67) RCW 29A.80.010 (Authority -- Generally) and section 52 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 2001, 1977 ex.s. c 329 s 16, & 1965 c 9 s 29.42.010;
     (68) RCW 29A.80.040 (Precinct committee officer, eligibility) and 2003 c 111 s 2004;
     (69) RCW 29A.80.050 (Precinct committee officer -- Election -- Declaration of candidacy, fee -- Term) and 2003 c 111 s 2005, 1991 c 363 s 34, 1987 c 295 s 14, 1973 c 4 s 7, 1967 ex.s. c 32 s 2, 1965 ex.s. c 103 s 3, & 1965 c 9 s 29.42.050;
     (70) RCW 29A.80.060 (Legislative district chair -- Election -- Term -- Removal) and 2003 c 111 s 2006, 1991 c 363 s 35, 1987 c 295 s 15, & 1967 ex.s. c 32 s 1;
     (71) RCW 29A.84.260 (Petitions -- Improperly signing) and section 53 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 2114;
     (72) RCW 29A.84.310 (Candidacy declarations, nominating petitions) and section 54 of this act & 2003 c 111 s 2117;
     (73) RCW 29A.84.710 (Documents regarding nomination, election, candidacy -- Frauds and falsehoods) and section 55 of this act, 2003 c 111 s 2137, 1991 c 81 s 8, & 1965 c 9 s 29.85.100;
     (74) Section 1 of this act;
     (75) Section 2 of this act;
     (76) Section 4 of this act;
     (77) Section 28 of this act; and
     (78) Section 40 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 201   Sections 102 through 193 of this act take effect the June 1st following the secretary of state issuing a notification that no qualifying primary may be held in this state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 202   The code reviser shall correct any internal references accordingly if sections 102 through 193 of this act take effect.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 203   Part headings used in this act are not any part of the law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 204   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 205   Except for sections 102 through 193 of this act, this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.