H-1351              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1017

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Sanders, Fisher, Barnes, Leonard, Amondson, Pruitt, May, Schoon and Miller

Read first time 2/19/87 and referred to Committee on Constitution, Elections & Ethics.

AN ACT Relating to uncontested partisan primaries; and amending RCW 29.18.010 and 29.18.020.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 29.18.010, chapter 9, Laws of 1965 and RCW 29.18.010 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, all candidates for partisan state, congressional, legislative, and county((, municipal, and precinct elective)) offices shall be nominated at a partisan primary election held ((pursuant to the provisions of)) under this chapter((:  PROVIDED, That this chapter shall not apply to elections:

          (1) To fill unexpired terms occasioned by vacancies;

          (2) For nonpartisan elective offices;

          (3) For presidential electors;

          (4) In first class cities whose charters provide a nonpartisan method of nominating candidates;

          (5) In fourth class cities or towns;

          (6) In first, second and third class cities holding nonpartisan elections under RCW 29.21.010)).

(2) If, after the last day allowed for candidates to withdraw, no more than one candidate of each qualified political party has filed a declaration of candidacy for any partisan office, no primary for that position will be held.  The officer with whom the declarations of candidacy were filed shall notify any candidate thus affected, and the names of that candidate shall be listed as the party's nominee on the general election ballot.

        Sec. 2.  Section 29.18.020, chapter 9, Laws of 1965 as amended by section 10, chapter 329, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. and RCW 29.18.020 are each amended to read as follows:

Except as provided in this section and in RCW 29.18.010, the names of the candidates of the major political parties and those independent candidates and candidates of minor political parties who have been nominated pursuant to the provisions of chapter 29.24 RCW shall appear upon the partisan primary ballot((:  PROVIDED, That)).  Candidates for the positions of president and vice president shall not appear on the partisan primary ballot.  The name of no other candidate shall appear thereon.