VETO MESSAGE ON SSB 5518

April 17, 2013

To the Honorable President and Members,
The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Section 5, Substitute Senate Bill 5518 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to making nonsubstantive changes to election laws."

This bill was introduced by request of the Secretary of State to make technical changes to our election laws. The bill removes outdated language and statutory citations that are no longer relevant with the state's adoption of the top-two primary system and amends state election laws to conform to changes in federal law. Section 5 of the bill contains a change to a definition that could adversely impact minor political parties and is not in keeping with the nonsubstantive purposes of this Act. The Secretary of State agrees that keeping the current definition is preferable.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 5 of Substitute Senate Bill 5518.

With the exception of Section 5, Substitute Senate Bill No. 5518 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,
Jay Inslee
Governor