RCW 29A.36.020
Constitutional measures -- Ballot
title -- Formulation, ballot display, certification.(1) When a
proposed constitutional amendment is to be submitted to the
people of the state for statewide popular vote, the ballot title
consists of: (a) A statement of the subject of the amendment;
(b) a concise description of the amendment; and (c) a question in
the form prescribed in this section. The statement of the
subject of a constitutional amendment must be sufficiently broad
to reflect the nature of the amendment, sufficiently precise to
give notice of the amendment's subject matter, and not exceed ten
words. The concise description must contain no more than thirty
words, give a true and impartial description of the amendment's
essential contents, clearly identify the amendment to be voted
on, and not, to the extent reasonably possible, create prejudice
either for or against the amendment.
The ballot title for a proposed constitutional amendment
must be displayed on the ballot substantially as follows:
"The legislature has proposed a constitutional
amendment on (statement of subject). This amendment
would (concise description). Should this
constitutional amendment be:
(2) When a proposed new constitution is submitted to the
people of the state by a constitutional convention for statewide
popular vote, the ballot title consists of: (a) A concise
description of the new constitution; and (b) a question in the
form prescribed in this section. The concise description must
contain no more than thirty words, give a true and impartial
description of the new constitution's essential contents, clearly
identify the proposed constitution to be voted on, and not, to
the extent reasonably possible, create prejudice either for or
against the new constitution.
The ballot title for a proposed new constitution must be
displayed on the ballot substantially as follows:
"The constitutional convention approved a new proposed
state constitution that (concise description). Should
this proposed constitution be:
(3) The legislature may specify the statement of subject or
concise description, or both, in a constitutional amendment that
it submits to the people. If the legislature fails to specify
the statement of subject or concise description, or both, the
attorney general shall prepare the material that was not
specified. The statement of subject and concise description as
so provided must be included as part of the ballot title unless
changed on appeal.
The attorney general shall specify the concise description
for a proposed new constitution that is submitted to the people
by a constitutional convention, and the concise description as so
provided must be included as part of the ballot title unless
changed on appeal.
(4) The secretary of state shall certify to the county
auditors the ballot title for a proposed constitution,
constitutional amendment, or other statewide question at the same
time and in the same manner as the ballot titles to initiatives
and referendums.[2003 c 111 § 902. Prior: 2000 c 197 § 7.
Formerly RCW 29.27.057.]
NOTES:
Part headings not law -- 2000 c 197: See note following RCW 29A.72.050.