Bill
Bill > HB1156
summary
Introduced
01/12/2021
01/12/2021
In Committee
02/22/2021
02/22/2021
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/10/2022
03/10/2022
Introduced Session
2021-2022 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT Relating to increasing representation and voter participation in local elections; amending RCW 29A.60.221, 29A.52.112, 29A.52.210, 29A.52.220, 29A.24.010, 36.32.040, 36.32.050, 35A.12.040, 28A.343.320, 29A.04.330, 35.17.020, 35.18.270, 35.23.051, 5 35.27.090, 35.30.080, 35.61.050, 35A.02.050, 36.32.030, 36.32.0554, 6 36.69.070, 36.69.090, 36.93.051, 36.93.061, 29A.92.070, 29A.92.080, and 29A.92.130; reenacting and amending RCW 29A.36.170; adding a new section to chapter 29A.52 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 52.14 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 53.12 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 29A.04.127; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
AI Summary
This bill aims to increase representation and voter participation in local elections by allowing counties, cities, towns, school districts, fire districts, and port districts to conduct elections using ranked choice voting. Key provisions of the bill include:
- Allowing local jurisdictions to adopt ranked choice voting, which enables voters to rank candidates in order of preference. This can eliminate the need for a traditional primary election.
- Specifying procedures for administering ranked choice voting elections, including the maximum number of candidates a voter can rank and methods for tabulating votes.
- Providing authority for the Secretary of State to adopt rules and develop educational materials to implement ranked choice voting.
- Authorizing the Secretary of State to provide grants to local governments to adopt ranked choice voting or make changes to their electoral systems in response to Voting Rights Act notices.
- Amending various statutes to accommodate the use of ranked choice voting, such as determining the candidates that appear on the general election ballot and how to resolve tied elections.
The overall goal is to give local jurisdictions the option to use ranked choice voting as a way to increase voter engagement and ensure elected officials better reflect the preferences of the electorate.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Government Affairs
Sponsors (27)
Kirsten Harris-Talley (D)*,
Jessica Bateman (D),
April Berg (D),
Liz Berry (D),
Frank Chopp (D),
Lauren Davis (D),
Laurie Dolan (D),
Davina Duerr (D),
Joe Fitzgibbon (D),
Noel Frame (D),
Roger Goodman (D),
Mia Gregerson (D),
Jesse Johnson (D),
Debra Lekanoff (D),
Nicole Macri (D),
Timm Ormsby (D),
Lillian Ortiz-Self (D),
Strom Peterson (D),
Gerry Pollet (D),
Alex Ramel (D),
Alicia Rule (D),
Sharon Shewmake (D),
Tarra Simmons (D),
Jamila Taylor (D),
My-Linh Thai (D),
Jim Walsh (R),
Emily Wicks (D),
Last Action
Returned to Rules Committee for second reading. (on 02/22/2022)
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