Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government, Elections & Information Technology Committee |
HB 2529
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning the costs of election administration.
Sponsors: Representatives Kraft, Hudgins and McBride.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/17/18
Staff: Travis Yonker (786-7383).
Background:
The Secretary of State is the chief election officer for all federal, state, county, city, town and district elections in Washington. By virtue of their positions, county auditors are the supervisors of elections in their respective jurisdictions, and have a duty to provide the supplies and materials necessary to conduct elections. County auditors apportion to each city, town, or district within their respective jurisdictions, and to the state, their share of the expenses associated with elections within each county.
Summary of Bill:
A task force is created to examine the costs associated with the administration of elections throughout Washington, consisting of the following 12 members:
a member from each of the two largest caucuses of the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate;
a member from each of the two largest caucuses in the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
a representative from the Office of the Governor;
a representative from the Office of the Secretary of State;
a representative from the Washington State Association of County Auditors;
a representative from the Washington State Association of Counties;
a representative from the Association of Washington Cities;
a representative for special purpose districts, appointed by the Governor;
a representative for conservation districts; and
a member of the public at-large, appointed by the Governor.
The Secretary of State will initiate the first meeting of the task force and provide staff support to the task force. The task force will collect data and analyze the following:
the costs of election administration throughout Washington;
the variation of costs across counties;
the impact of existing and future costs on voter participation;
the cost impact of voter initiatives;
the costs associated with ballot design and number of ballot measures;
funding sources for elections in Washington, and the sustainability of such sources;
the planning for future voting costs; and
other issues the task force finds that may impact election costs.
By December 1, 2018, the task force will submit a report to the Governor and to the appropriate committees of the Legislature that includes the following:
findings with analysis on the data collected in each category;
a comparative analysis of costs among counties;
allocation of costs among the state and local districts; and
recommendations for the sustainable and equitable funding of election costs.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2018.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.