Section 434-262-160. Write-in-voting—Voter intent.

(1) In all cases of write-in votes the canvassing board shall exercise all reasonable efforts to determine the voter's intent. Write-in votes in the general election are not to be counted for any person who filed for the same office as either a regular or write-in candidate at the preceding primary and failed to qualify for the general election. If a write-in declaration of candidacy has been filed, the voter need only write in that candidate's name in order for the vote to be counted; the candidate's party preference does not impact whether the write-in vote shall be counted. If no declaration of write-in candidacy has been filed, the voter must write in the name of the candidate and, if the office or position number cannot be determined by the location of the write-in on the ballot, the office and position number, in order for the write-in vote to be counted.

(2)(a) If a write-in candidate for partisan office does not file a write-in declaration of candidacy but does qualify for the general election ballot, the candidate has not stated a preference for a political party and therefore shall have "(states no party preference)" printed on the general election ballot.

(b) If a write-in candidate for partisan office files a write-in declaration of candidacy and qualifies for the general election ballot, the party preference stated on the write-in declaration of candidacy, if any, shall be printed on the general election ballot.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 08-15-052, § 434-262-160, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. WSR 97-21-045, recodified as § 434-262-160, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97. Statutory Authority: 1990 c 59. WSR 92-12-083, § 434-62-160, filed 6/2/92, effective 7/3/92.]

RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 08-15-052, § 434-262-160, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. WSR 97-21-045, recodified as § 434-262-160, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97. Statutory Authority: 1990 c 59. WSR 92-12-083, § 434-62-160, filed 6/2/92, effective 7/3/92.