Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee |
HB 1442
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 names used by candidates in elections.
Sponsors: Representatives Goehner and Hudgins; by request of Secretary of State.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/12/19
Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).
Background:
Candidates for certain public offices must file a declaration of candidacy with the
appropriate elections official. Candidates for statewide and federal offices must file their declarations with the Secretary of State, as must candidates in districts of multiple counties for appellate and superior courts and the state Legislature. For all other offices, candidates must file their declaration of candidacy with the local county auditor.
The Secretary of State has prepared a standard candidate filing form, different from the form for the office of precinct committee officer, which requires a candidate to:
declare that he or she is a registered voter within the jurisdiction of the office sought, and the address at which he or she is registered;
indicate the position for which he or she is filing;
state a party preference, if seeking a partisan office;
indicate the filing fee or that he or she is filing a filing fee petition; and
affirm the information provided is true and that he or she will support the state and federal Constitutions and laws of the state, and sign the declaration of candidacy.
A candidate for public office may indicate the manner in which he or she would like their name printed on the ballot. However, for filing purposes, candidates may use a nickname by which the candidate is commonly known as a first name, but the last name must be the one under which the candidate is registered to vote. Candidates may not:
use nicknames that denote occupation, including military rank;
use nicknames that denote positions on issues or political affiliation; or
use nicknames designed to mislead voters.
Summary of Bill:
Candidates for public office must file using the name appearing on the candidate's voter registration. Candidates may, separately, indicate the manner in which the candidate desires to have their first name printed on the ballot, but no candidate may use a last name that is different from the last name that appears on his or her voter registration.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.