Voters to have information online about judicial races

February 19, 2008

OLYMPIA – Legislation to require online voters’ pamphlet information for all judicial races cleared the House today with bipartisan support.

Under House Bill 2807 online primary voters’ guides would include information on Supreme Court, Courts of Appeals and Superior Court judges as well as candidates for local courts.

“Voters want to know more about who is running for judge in their community,” said Rep. Shay Schual-Berke (D-Normandy Park).  “Making this information available online is an inexpensive and effective way to inform the public.”

Although many judicial races are decided in the primary election, voters’ pamphlets aren’t always printed for the primary.

Supreme Court and Court of Appeals candidates move to the general election ballot unopposed if they receive more than 50 percent of the vote in a contested primary, while Superior Court races do not appear on the general election ballot if the candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary. 

The bill passed the House by a vote of 84-14 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.