Initiative
measures proposed to be submitted to the people must be filed
with the secretary of state within ten months prior to the
election at which they are to be submitted, and the signature
petitions must be filed with the secretary of state not less than
four months before the next general statewide election.
Initiative measures proposed to be submitted to the
legislature must be filed with the secretary of state within ten
months prior to the next regular session of the legislature at
which they are to be submitted, and the signature petitions must
be filed with the secretary of state not less than ten days
before such regular session of the legislature.
A referendum measure petition ordering that any act or part
of an act passed by the legislature be referred to the people
must be filed with the secretary of state within ninety days
after the final adjournment of the legislative session at which
the act was passed. It may be submitted at the next general
statewide election or at a special election ordered by the
legislature.
A proposed initiative or referendum measure may be filed no
earlier than the opening of the secretary of state's office for
business pursuant to RCW 42.04.060 on the first day filings are
permitted, and any initiative or referendum petition must be
filed not later than the close of business on the last business
day in the specified period for submission of signatures. If a
filing deadline falls on a Saturday, the office of the secretary
of state must be open for the transaction of business under this
section from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on that Saturday.
[2003 c 111 § 1804; 1987 c 161 § 1; 1965 c 9 § 29.79.020. Prior: (i) 1913 c 138 § 1, part; RRS § 5397, part. (ii) 1913 c 138 § 6, part; RRS § 5402, part. (iii) 1913 c 138 § 5, part; RRS § 5401, part. (iv) 1913 c 138 § 7, part; RRS § 5403, part. Formerly RCW 29.79.020.]
NOTES:
Initiative, referendum, time for filing: State Constitution Art. 2 § 1 (a) and (d) (Amendment 7).
Petitions -- Time for filing: RCW 29A.72.160.