Bill > HJR4203

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Washington State Constitution that would modify the process for filling vacancies on the state Supreme Court. Specifically, the resolution would require that when a vacancy occurs on the Supreme Court, the governor can only appoint a justice to maintain the court's specified number of justices, and this appointment would be subject to confirmation by the state senate. The appointed justice would serve until an election is held at the next general election to permanently fill the vacancy. The resolution also clarifies other aspects of the Supreme Court, such as the selection of a chief justice from among the justices for a four-year term, and mandates that the secretary of state publish notice of this constitutional amendment at least four times in legal newspapers across the state before the election. If approved by voters, this amendment would change the current process of Supreme Court justice selection by introducing a senate confirmation requirement for gubernatorial appointments to fill court vacancies.

Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=4203&Year=2025&Initiative=false