HB 1932 passed the House along a mostly party-line vote 52-45, and now awaits action in the Senate State Government Committee. A House floor amendment removed the provision that would have made a transition to even-year elections non-revocable. AWC supports the current version of the bill, as now all material components of the bill are a local option. Cities would have the option to move to even-year elections, and would also have the option to revert to odd-year elections.

Dates to remember

HB 1932 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate State Government & Elections Committee February 16 at 8 am.

House removes problematic mandate from even-year elections bill

January 12, 2024

Great news! The House voted on and passed an amendment to HB 1932, the even-year election bill, that removes the problematic mandate for cities that would have required jurisdictions with consecutive turnout below 40 percent to switch to even-year general elections. As the bill stands now, cities would have the option to switch to even-year elections but would not be required to do so.

Watch a recording of the public hearing, including AWC's testimony, on the bill.

Even-year elections bill back, this time with mandate for cities

January 5, 2024

The issue of even-year elections has returned in the 2024 legislation session with bills that propose moving the date of city general elections from odd years to even years to coincide with state and federal general elections for local governments. Critically, one of these bills would require cities to move to even-year elections if voter turnout falls below 40 percent for five consecutive elections.

HB 1932, sponsored by Rep. Mia Gregerson (D–SeaTac), raises concerns for cities and elected officials. The bill:

• Permits cities, towns, and certain special purpose districts to choose to hold their elections in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years.
• Requires cities, towns, and certain special purpose districts to hold their elections in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years if their voter turnout is below 40 percent in four consecutive odd-year general elections beginning with the 2025 general election.
• The jurisdiction may not switch back to even-numbered years, even if turnout increases.

Last year SB 5723 and companion HB 1882 established a procedure for cities and towns in Washington to switch to even-numbered year elections if they choose to pass an ordinance or get voter approval of a referendum. While we have seen mandates in previous years, the bills in 2023 maintained local control, and AWC supports these companion bills. SB 5723 passed out of the Senate Committee on State Government & Elections but failed to make it past the House of Origin cutoff.

Proponents suggest several benefits for even year elections, including:

• It could reduce election costs for cities. Election costs are shared across all agencies who have candidates or initiatives on a ballot. By switching to even years, cities could potentially lower their costs for elections.
• Increased voter participation – Roughly 25% more people vote in even years compared to odd years.

Some concerns regarding even year elections:

• Crowded ballots – including city elections on general election ballots will force city elected positions and city initiatives close to the bottom of ballots. This could have a negative impact on the number of people voting on local issues due to “down ballot fatigue.”
• Inability for elected officials to run for other offices – Current laws prohibit a candidate from appearing twice on the same ballot for elected offices. It is not uncommon to have city councilmembers run for county, state, or other elected positions in off years. This allows them to run for office without vacating their seat. As the bill is written, there are no provisions for this issue.

AWC supports policies that preserve local control and input regarding how elections are administered.

Dates to remember

HB 1932 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee on Tuesday, January 9 at 1:30 pm and is scheduled for a vote in the committee on Friday, January 12 at 8 am.