The legislature intends to establish an instant runoff voting pilot project to be completed by willing state and local election administrators in full partnership and cooperation.

     If the county auditor of a county containing any city that has demonstrated support for instant runoff voting, as provided by subsection (1)(c) of this section, provides written notification of pilot project participation to the secretary of state by January 1, 2007, the secretary of state shall conduct a pilot project to examine the use of instant runoff voting as a local option for nonpartisan offices in any qualifying city in that county. Following the timely receipt by the secretary of state of the written notification, the pilot project must begin by August 1, 2008, and conclude no later than July 1, 2013.

     (1) For the purposes of this chapter, a qualifying city must:

     (a) Be classified as a first-class city as defined by chapter 35.22 RCW;

     (b) Have a population greater than one hundred forty thousand and less than two hundred thousand as of July 24, 2005, as determined by the office of financial management; and

     (c) Have demonstrated support for instant runoff voting by approving a city charter amendment authorizing the city council to use instant runoff voting for the election of city officers.

     (2)(a) Following the timely receipt by the secretary of state of a notification of participation from a county auditor, and in accordance with the provisions of this section, the secretary of state shall certify at least one city in that county to qualify and participate in the pilot project. Only a qualifying city or cities certified for participation by the secretary of state may participate in the pilot project.

     (b) The county auditor of a county containing a qualifying and certified city who has submitted a timely notification of participation shall participate in the pilot project.

     (3) Elections conducted under the instant runoff voting method for the pilot project must comply with this chapter and may be held only on the dates specified by RCW 29A.04.330(1).

     (4) For the purpose of implementing this chapter, the secretary of state shall develop and adopt:

     (a) Rules governing the conduct of instant runoff voting elections; and

     (b) A pilot project timeline. The secretary of state may consult with appropriate local officials to develop this timeline. The timeline is subject to review and modification by the secretary of state, as necessary.

     (5) All election equipment and related processes shall be certified by the secretary of state before an election may be conducted under the instant runoff voting method.

     (6) The secretary of state shall submit a report of findings to the appropriate committees of the legislature by July 1, 2013, that includes, but is not limited to:

     (a) An assessment of all elections conducted using the instant runoff voting method;

     (b) Recommendations for statutory, rule, and local voting procedural modifications that would be required prior to implementing instant runoff voting as a permanent alternative election method for special and general elections;

     (c) An inventory of available election equipment necessary for conducting elections under the instant runoff method, including costs associated with the equipment; and

     (d) Any recommendations from any city legislative body or county auditor participating in this pilot project.

[2005 c 153 § 2.]