Elections bill sponsored by Hawkins passed by House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 27, 2014

CONTACT: Sarah Stewart, Public Information Officer – (360) 786-7720

Elections bill sponsored by Hawkins passed by House

The House of Representatives passed a measure today sponsored by 12th District Rep. Brad Hawkins addressing certain county primary elections.

House Bill 2106 would relieve county election offices of the requirement to hold a primary election when only one candidate for a position has filed to fill an unexpired term for partisan county offices. Many counties in Washington State have partisan county offices such as prosecutor, assessor, clerk and coroner. The bill was passed by the House 86-10.

“This bill is much needed for many counties, because according to current law, primaries are required for all partisan county offices,” said Hawkins, R-East Wenatchee. “This bill will prevent what happened last August in Chelan County where a primary election was held when only one person’s name was printed on the entire ballot.”

Hawkins worked on the bill over the summer and fall of 2013 and pre-filed it in December to help ensure its passage in the short 60-day session. The House Government Operations and Elections Committee approved the bill Jan. 21.

“I look forward to this bill being heard in the Senate so it can be passed in that chamber and be signed into law,” said Hawkins. “Some of my House colleagues expressed concern about opportunities for write-in candidates in these types of elections, but I wrote the bill narrowly to preserve as many opportunities as possible while trying to save election dollars where possible.”

The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration. The 2014 session is scheduled to adjourn March 13.

For audio of Rep. Hawkins’ floor speech today, please click here.

For more information about Rep. Hawkins, visit: www.representativebradhawkins.com.

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