A vacancy caused by the death or disqualification of any candidate or nominee of a major or minor political party may be filled at any time up to and including the day prior to the election for that position. For state partisan offices in any political subdivision voted on solely by electors of a single county, an individual shall be appointed to fill such vacancy by the county central committee in the case of a major political party or by the state central committee or comparable governing body in the case of a minor political party. For other partisan offices, including federal or statewide offices, an individual shall be appointed to fill such vacancy by the state central committee or comparable governing body of the appropriate political party.

     If the vacancy occurs no later than the eleventh Tuesday prior to the state primary or general election concerned and the ballots have been printed, it shall be mandatory that they be corrected by the appropriate election officers. In making such correction, it shall not be necessary to reprint complete ballots if any other less expensive technique can be used and the resulting correction is reasonably clear.

     If the vacancy occurs after the eleventh Tuesday prior to the state primary or general election and time does not exist in which to correct ballots (including absentee ballots), either in total or in part, then the votes cast or recorded for the person who has died or become disqualified shall be counted for the person who has been named to fill such vacancy.

     When the secretary of state is the person with whom the appointment by the major or minor political party is filed, the secretary shall, in certifying candidates or nominations to the various county officers insert the name of the person appointed to fill a vacancy.

     If the secretary of state has already sent forth the certificate when the appointment to fill a vacancy is filed, the secretary shall forthwith certify to the county auditors of the proper counties the name and place of residence of the person appointed to fill a vacancy, the office for which the person is a candidate or nominee, the party the person represents, and all other pertinent facts pertaining to the vacancy.

[2006 c 344 § 11; 2004 c 271 § 192.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2006 c 344 §§ 1-16 and 18-40: See note following RCW 29A.04.311.