SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5069
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections, January 17, 2025
Title: An act relating to requiring the secretary of state to print and distribute a voters' pamphlet for the primary in each even-numbered year and for the general election every year.
Brief Description: Requiring the secretary of state to print and distribute a voters' pamphlet for the primary in each even-numbered year and for the general election every year.
Sponsors: Senators Valdez, Dozier, Chapman, Cleveland, Hasegawa, Liias, Nobles and Riccelli; by request of Secretary of State.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections: 1/14/25, 1/17/25 [DP-WM, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the secretary of state to print and distribute a voters' pamphlet prior to the primary in each even-numbered year and prior to the general election every year.
  • Provides that local voters' pamphlets printed and distributed by county auditors are not required to provide information on measures and candidates appearing in a voters' pamphlet produced by the secretary of state.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL AFFAIRS & ELECTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Valdez, Chair; Krishnadasan, Vice Chair; Wilson, J., Ranking Member; Kauffman and Riccelli.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Hasegawa and Short.
Staff: William Bridges (786-7312)
Background:

When Elections Are Held. General elections are held every November. In even-numbered years, the general election is for federal, state, and county officers, as well as state or local ballot measures such as initiatives, referenda, and constitutional amendments. There are exceptions, some charter counties?such as King, Snohomish, and Whatcom?hold their county executive elections in odd years. King County, following the passage of a charter amendment in 2022, will be moving their county executive elections to even years beginning in 2026.

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In odd-numbered years, general elections are held for city, town, and special purpose district officers.

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State ballot measures must appear on the ballot at the next regular general election, and therefore they may appear in either even- or odd-numbered years. Special elections and recall elections also may occur in either even- or odd-numbered years.

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State Voters' Pamphlet. The Washington Constitution requires the secretary of state (Secretary) to send a publication containing ballot measures referred to the people, along with arguments for and against the measure, to each individual place of residence in the state. By statute, the Secretary must print and distribute a voters' pamphlet if a statewide measure or candidate appears on the general election ballot. The statewide voters' pamphlet must contain specific information, such as statements submitted by federal and state candidates and information about each measure initiated by or referred to the people.

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Local Voters' Pamphlet. Each county auditor must produce a local voters' pamphlet for the entire county, which must be printed and distributed before any primary, general or special election. The local voters' pamphlet must contain specific information on all measures and candidates appearing on the ballots within that county.
Summary of Bill:

The Secretary is required to print and distribute a voters' pamphlet prior to the primary in each even-numbered year and prior to the general election every year. Local voters' pamphlets printed and distributed by county auditors are not required to provide information on measures and candidates appearing in a voters' pamphlet produced by the Secretary.?
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 7, 2025.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2026.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO: This is a WACO priority bill because it will assist those counties with limited financial and personnel resources to produce voter pamphlets. The bill will result in a consistent pamphlet throughout the state. The bill will allow a greater opportunity to provide the public with election information.?

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CON: The bill should be amended to allow different candidate statements for the primary and general election pamphlets. ?

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OTHER:?Signed in as con but then changed to other because there were no concerns.??
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Javier Valdez, Prime Sponsor; Steve Hobbs, Office of Secretary of State; Michael Shaw, Washington Association of County Officials (WACO); Conner Edwards, Professional Campaign Treasurer/CG Edwards PLLC; Heidi Hunt, Auditors Association/Adams County Auditor.
CON: Tim Eyman, Initiative Activist.
OTHER: Laurie Layne.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.