(1) Any nomination of a candidate for partisan public office by other than a major political party may be made only: (a) In a convention held not earlier than the first Saturday in May and not later than the second Saturday in May or during any of the seven days immediately preceding the first day for filing declarations of candidacy as fixed in accordance with RCW 29A.28.041; (b) as provided by RCW 29A.60.021; or (c) as otherwise provided in this section. Minor political party and independent candidates may appear only on the general election ballot.

     (2) Nominations of candidates for president and vice president of the United States other than by a major political party may be made either at a convention conducted under subsection (1) of this section, or at a similar convention taking place not earlier than the first Saturday in June and not later than the fourth Saturday in July. Conventions held during this time period may not nominate candidates for any public office other than president and vice president of the United States, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

     (3) If a special filing period for a partisan office is opened under *RCW 29A.24.211, candidates of minor political parties and independent candidates may file for office during that special filing period. The names of those candidates may not appear on the general election ballot unless they are nominated by convention held no later than five days after the close of the special filing period and a certificate of nomination is filed with the filing officer no later than three days after the convention. The requirements of RCW 29A.20.131 do not apply to such a convention.

     (4) A minor political party may hold more than one convention but in no case shall any such party nominate more than one candidate for any one partisan public office or position. For the purpose of nominating candidates for the offices of president and vice president, United States senator, United States representative, or a statewide office, a minor party or independent candidate holding multiple conventions may add together the number of signatures of different individuals from each convention obtained in support of the candidate or candidates in order to obtain the number required by RCW 29A.20.141. For all other offices for which nominations are made, signatures of the requisite number of registered voters must be obtained at a single convention.

[2006 c 344 § 4; 2004 c 271 § 110.]

NOTES:

     *Reviser's note: RCW 29A.24.211 was repealed by 2011 c 349 § 30.

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