BILL REQ. #:  H-1718.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/15/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to length of candidates' statements; and amending RCW 29A.32.121 and 29A.32.250.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 29A.32.121 and 2004 c 271 s 168 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, 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.
     (b) Candidates' statements that appear on the web site of the secretary of state may contain up to one thousand words. The secretary of state shall absorb within existing resources any increased costs due to the maximum number of words in this subsection (1)(b) exceeding the maximum established in (a) of this subsection.
     (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. 2   RCW 29A.32.250 and 2003 c 111 s 817 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If the legislative authority of a county or first-class or code city provides for the inclusion of candidates in the local voters' pamphlet, the pamphlet shall include the statements from candidates and may also include those candidates' photographs.
     (2) Candidates' statements that appear on the web sites of county auditors may contain up to one thousand words.