FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1858

C 83 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Prohibiting the names of county auditors and the secretary of state from being included on ballot envelopes and in voters' pamphlets when running for reelection.

Sponsors: Representatives Shea, S. Hunt, Taylor, G. Hunt, Reykdal, Condotta, Tharinger and McCaslin.

House Committee on State Government

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security

Background:

Voters' Pamphlets.

The Secretary of State (Secretary) is required to publish a voters' pamphlet for each general election in which at least one statewide measure or office will appear on the ballot. The Secretary determines the format and layout of the voters' pamphlet.

State voters' pamphlets must contain a candidate's statement, photograph, and contact information. For each statewide issue on the ballot, the voters' pamphlet must contain an explanatory statement of the issue, arguments for and against the proposed measure, and a fiscal impact statement. Contact information for the Public Disclosure Commission and major political parties also must be included.

Counties and first class or code cities are authorized to publish a local voters' pamphlet containing information on election measures and candidates within that jurisdiction. The local voters' pamphlet may include candidate statements and photographs and must contain explanatory statements on ballot measures and arguments for and against each measure.

Ballot Envelopes.

The county auditor prepares and mails ballots to all registered voters in the county. The ballot is sent with a security envelope and a return envelope. The county auditor must include a declaration for the voter to sign and instructions on how to complete and return the ballot to the auditor.

Summary:

The name of the Secretary may not appear in the state voters' pamphlet in his or her official capacity if he or she is a candidate for office in the same year the pamphlet is prepared. His or her name may appear within the candidate's information that is normally included in the state voters' pamphlet.

A county auditor's name may not appear in the local voters' pamphlet in his or her official capacity if he or she is a candidate for office in the same year the pamphlet is prepared. His or her name may appear within the candidate's information that is normally included in the local voters' pamphlet. The county auditor's name also may not appear on any security or return envelope or voting instructions sent out to eligible voters in a year the auditor is a candidate for office.

Votes on Final Passage:

2015 Regular Session

2016 Regular Session