Chapter 2.12
CITY OFFICERS – ELECTIONS
Sections:
2.12.010 General municipal elections.
2.12.020 Special elections.
2.12.030 Conduct of elections.
2.12.040 Elective offices.
2.12.050 Residency and registration.
2.12.060 Declaration of candidacy – Filing.
2.12.070 Declaration of candidacy – Procedure, fee, form.
2.12.080 Election of councilmembers – Vacancy.
2.12.090 Election of mayor – Vacancy.
2.12.100 Campaign financing – Obligation of political candidates and committees to comply with requirements of GHMC 2.12.105.
2.12.105 Disclosure – Campaign finances adopted.
2.12.010 General municipal elections.
General municipal elections shall be held in the city as provided by the laws of the state. Such special elections shall be held as may from time to time be called. (Ord. 23A § 1, 1952; Ord. 23 § 1, 1950).
2.12.020 Special elections.
All city elections, whether general or special shall be held upon the dates fixed in the general election laws of the state; provided, however, that this section shall not be construed as fixing the time for holding elections for the recall of any duly elected officer, and provided further, that whenever in the opinion of the city council an emergency exists which requires the holding of a special election, such council may by resolution call a special election for the purpose of meeting said emergency. (Ord. 23A § 2, 1952; Ord. 23 § 2, 1950).
2.12.030 Conduct of elections.
All elections called and held within the city shall be conducted in the manner provided by the general election laws of the state. (Ord. 23 § 3, 1970).
2.12.040 Elective offices.
Elective offices within the city shall be mayor and councilman. All other city offices shall be filled by appointment by the mayor or by action of the city council, as provided by law and/or the ordinances of the city. (Ord. 23A § 3, 1952; Ord. 23 § 4, 1950).
2.12.050 Residency and registration.
No person shall be eligible to hold elective office within the city unless the person is a registered voter of the city at the time of filing his or her declaration of candidacy and has continuously resided within the corporate limits of the city for at least one year next preceding his or her election. Residence and voting within the limits of any territory which has been included in, annexed to, or consolidated with the city is construed to have been residence within the city. (Ord. 692 § 1, 1995; Ord. 23 § 5, 1950).
2.12.060 Declaration of candidacy – Filing.
Nominations for elective offices within the city shall be made by filing declarations of candidacy with the Pierce County auditor’s office and as set forth in RCW 29A.24.031 (declaring candidacy), 29A.24.040 (for mailing or electronic filing), 29A.24.050 (timing of the declaration of candidacy), 29A.24.070 (place of filing), and 29A.24.081 (filing by mail). There shall be no primary elections for nominating candidates for any elective office in the city. Primaries shall otherwise be held as provided in RCW 29A.52.210 re: city primaries (nonpartisan). (Ord. 1004 § 1, 2005; Ord. 928 § 1, 2003; Ord. 692 § 2, 1995; Ord. 23A § 4, 1952; Ord. 23 § 6, 1950).
2.12.070 Declaration of candidacy – Procedure, fee, form.
A. All declarations of candidacy in the city shall be made by filing declarations of candidacy at the times and dates provided in RCW 29A.24.050.
B. All declarations of candidacy shall be accompanied by a filing fee as provided in RCW 29A.24.091.
C. Declarations of candidacy shall substantially conform to the form set forth in RCW 29A.24.101. (Ord. 1004 § 2, 2005; Ord. 692 § 3, 1995; Ord. 23A § 6, 1952; Ord. 23 § 10, 1950. Formerly 2.12.090.).
2.12.080 Election of councilmembers – Vacancy.
Seven councilmembers shall be elected for terms of four years each, with three such councilmembers being elected at one biennial election and four councilmembers being elected at the subsequent biennial election, and shall serve until his or her successor is elected, qualified and assumes office in accordance with RCW 29A.20.040. In the event of a vacancy in a councilmember office, the city council shall, by majority vote, choose and appoint a councilmember to fill said vacancy in the manner set forth in RCW 42.12.010 or other applicable state statute. (Ord. 1004 § 3, 2005; Ord. 819 § 1, 1999; Ord. 692 § 4, 1995; Ord. 189 § 2, 1974; Ord. 23 § 9, 1950).
2.12.090 Election of mayor – Vacancy.
A mayor shall be elected for four-year terms of office and shall serve until his or her successor is elected, qualified and assumes office in accordance with RCW 29A.20.040. In the event of a vacancy in the office of mayor, the city council shall, by majority vote, choose a mayor pro tempore to fill the unexpired term. (Ord. 1004 § 4, 2005; Ord. 692 § 5, 1995; Ord. 189 § 1, 1974; Ord. 23 § 7, 1950. Formerly 2.12.070.).
2.12.100 Campaign financing – Obligation of political candidates and committees to comply with requirements of GHMC 2.12.105.
The provisions of GHMC 2.12.105 and the statutes adopted by reference therein shall apply to all election campaigns other than for a precinct committee officer and for a federal elective office. (Ord. 784 § 1, 1998).
2.12.105 Disclosure – Campaign finances adopted.
The following state statutes are specifically adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if set forth in full. Brief summaries of each provision are provided for reference purposes only, are not intended to amend any of the statutory provisions, and should not be relied upon as a full description of the requirements contained in any statutory provision.
A. RCW 42.17.020, Definitions.
B. RCW 42.17.040, Obligation of political committees to file statement of organization. [Requiring a statement of organization for every political committee, setting deadlines for filing of the statement, describing the contents of such statement and identifying the manner in which such statement must be filed.]
C. RCW 42.17.050, Treasurer – Depositories. [Requiring each candidate to designate and file the names and addresses of his/her treasurer and bank, describing the manner of filing and the prohibitions on support of political candidates by political committees and exceptions thereto.]
D. RCW 42.17.060, Deposit of contributions – Investment of campaign funds, qualifications – Unidentified contributions – Cash contributions. [Describing the manner in which a treasurer shall deposit contributions in bank accounts, the methodology for keeping and identifying such accounts, prohibitions on the use of accumulated unidentified contributions and acceptance of cash contributions.]
E. RCW 42.17.065, Filing and reporting by continuing political committee. [Describing the manner in which a continuing political committee shall file reports, the contents of such reports and required bookkeeping.]
F. RCW 42.17.067, Fund-raising activities – Alternative reporting method. [Describing the manner in which certain fund-raising activities may be reported, the contents of such report, and the manner of filing.]
G. RCW 42.17.070, Expenditures – Authorization of and restrictions on. [Describing the manner in which a candidate or political committee may make expenditures of funds, and the necessary record-keeping requirements.]
H. RCW 42.17.080, Candidates’ and treasurers’ duty to report contributions and expenditures. [Describing the manner in which a report of contributions must be filed by a candidate or political committee, the timeframes for such reporting and continued reporting, and the necessary record-keeping requirements.]
I. RCW 42.17.090, Contents of report. [Listing all of the necessary elements of the report required by RCW 42.17.080.]
J. RCW 42.17.095, Disposal of surplus funds. [Describing the manner in which a candidate or political committee supporting or opposing a candidate may dispose of surplus funds.]
K. RCW 42.17.100, Special reports – Independent expenditures. [Defining “independent expenditures,” which are not required to be reported pursuant to RCW 42.17.060, 42.17.080 or 42.17.090, and describing the method for filing an initial report of such expenditures.]
L. RCW 42.17.105 Special reports, late contributions or totals over five hundred dollars – Certain late contributions prohibited. [Requiring campaign treasurers to prepare special reports when a contribution or aggregate of contributions exceeds $500.00, is from a single person or entity, and is received during a special reporting period, defining a “special reporting period,” “aggregate of contributions,” and describing the acceptable methods for filing such a report and setting forth violations.]
M. RCW 42.17.110, Commercial advertisers –Documents and books open for public inspection –Delivery of copies to commission upon request. [Requiring commercial advertisers of political advertising to maintain certain records for public inspection, describing the type of records, the contents of the records, and requiring such advertisers to provide copies of such information under certain circumstances.]
N. RCW 42.17.120, Identification of contributions and communications. [Prohibiting the concealment of the identity of a contributor of campaign funds, or the expenditure of such funds.]
O. RCW 42.17.125, Personal use of contributions – When permitted. [Describing the circumstances in which certain contributions may be expended for an individual’s personal use.]
P. RCW 42.17.128, Use of public funds for political purposes. [Prohibiting the use of public funds to finance campaigns for state or local office.]
Q. RCW 42.17.130, Forbids use of public office or agency facilities in campaign. [Prohibiting the use of public office or agency facilities in campaigns, describing the activities which constitute exceptions.]
R. RCW 42.17.135, Earmarked contributions. [Describing the manner in which a candidate or political committee receiving a contribution earmarked for the benefit of another candidate or political committee must report the contribution and provide notification.] (Ord. 784 § 2, 1998).