BILL REQ. #:  S-4037.1 

Read first time 01/26/12.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to explanatory statements for measures referencing another document; and amending RCW 29A.32.241.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 29A.32.241 and 2011 c 10 s 29 are each amended 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 a 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. If the text of a measure references another document, the explanatory statement shall contain the referenced document in its entirety and may not make reference to any other documents;
     (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.