A bill that eliminates statewide general elections in odd-numbered years received a hearing in the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee and is scheduled for a committee vote later this week.

In addition to eliminating general elections in odd-numbered years, HB 2529, sponsored by Rep. Mia Gregerson (D–SeaTac), permits elections in odd-numbered years only for:

• County, city, town, and special district general elections before the year 2026, unless the entity chooses to switch to even-numbered years before then;
• Special elections called for any purpose authorized by law;
• Elections for recall of a public officer;
• Public utility districts, conservation districts, or district elections at which property ownership is a prerequisite to voting;
• Consolidation proposals and nonhigh capital fund aid proposals; and
• Special flood control districts consisting of three or more counties.

In the event that the term of office of an elected official is scheduled to expire before a general election for that office has been held, the elected official shall continue to serve until a successor is elected and qualified.

AWC testified with concerns about voter fatigue and the potential that voters would struggle to complete a full ballot, as well as the costs of special elections in odd-numbered years increasing for cities. Finally, AWC expressed concerns about a potential impact on current law which prohibits an individual from appearing twice on the same ballot for elected offices. As the bill is written, there are no provisions for this issue.

Dates to remember

HB 2529 is scheduled for executive session in the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee at 8 am on Friday, January 31.