PDFWAC 434-381-120
Deadlines.
(1) Candidate statements and photographs shall be submitted to the secretary of state no later than 11 days following the last day of the filing period.
(a) A declared primary election write-in candidate may submit a statement and photograph to the secretary of state no later than the Tuesday following the primary election.
(b) An unopposed candidate on the primary ballot may submit a revised statement only when a write-in candidate for the same position files a declaration of candidacy. The revised statement must be received no later than the Tuesday following the primary election.
(2) For ballot measures, including initiatives, referenda, alternatives to initiatives to the legislature, and constitutional amendments, the following documents shall be filed with the secretary of state on or before the following deadlines:
(a) Appointments of the initial two members of committees to prepare arguments for and against measures:
(i) For an initiative to the people or referendum measure: No later than seven business days after the submission of signed petitions to the secretary of state;
(ii) For an initiative to the legislature, with or without an alternative, constitutional amendment or referendum bill, no later than seven business days after the adjournment of the regular or special session at which the legislature approved or referred the measure to the ballot;
(b) Appointment of additional members of committees to prepare arguments for and against ballot measures, no later than the date the committee submits its initial argument to the secretary of state;
(c) For arguments for or against a ballot measure:
(i) For an initiative to the people or referendum measure: No later than 10 business days following appointment of the initial committee members;
(ii) For an initiative to the legislature, with or without an alternative, constitutional amendment or referendum bill, no later than 14 business days following appointment of the initial committee members;
(d) Rebuttals of arguments for or against a ballot measure, no later than five business days following the transmittal of the final statement to the committees by the secretary. The secretary shall not transmit arguments to opposing committees for the purpose of rebuttals until both arguments are complete.
(3) If a ballot measure is the product of a special session of the legislature and the secretary of state determines that the deadlines set forth in subsection (2) of this section are impractical due to the timing of that special session, then the secretary of state may establish a schedule of deadlines unique to that measure.
(4) The deadlines stated in this rule are intended to promote the timely publication of the voters' pamphlet. Nothing in this rule shall preclude the secretary of state from accepting a late filing when, in the secretary's judgment, it is reasonable to do so. Once statements or arguments are submitted to the secretary, changes by the candidate or committee will not be accepted unless requested by the secretary.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 24-03-053, § 434-381-120, filed 1/10/24, effective 2/10/24; WSR 14-06-040, § 434-381-120, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-381-120, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.255. WSR 11-05-008, § 434-381-120, filed 2/3/11, effective 3/6/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 09-03-110, § 434-381-120, filed 1/21/09, effective 2/21/09; WSR 08-15-052, § 434-381-120, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; WSR 08-05-120, § 434-381-120, filed 2/19/08, effective 3/21/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.610. WSR 04-15-089, § 434-381-120, filed 7/16/04, effective 8/16/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.81.320. WSR 02-02-067, § 434-381-120, filed 12/28/01, effective 1/28/02.]