Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2574: Deceased candidates
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Concerning the removal of deceased candidates for nonpartisan office from ballots.
What the bill says
An act Relating to the removal of deceased candidates for nonpartisan office from ballots; and adding a new section to chapter 29A.36 RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to the removal of deceased candidates for nonpartisan office from ballots; and adding a new section to chapter 29A.36 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows: This section applies if a county auditor receives a copy of a death certification issued pursuant to chapter 70.58A RCW for a candidate for an elective office of a city, town, or special purpose district. (1) In a case in which a primary is conducted for the office: (a) If ballots for the general election for the office have not been ordered by the county auditor, the candidate who received the third greatest number of votes for the office at the primary shall qualify as a candidate for general election and that candidate's name shall be printed on the ballot for the office in lieu of the name of the deceased candidate. (b) If general election ballots for the office have been so ordered, votes cast for the deceased candidate at the general election for the office shall not be counted for that office. (2) In a case in which a primary is not conducted for the office: (a) If ballots for the general election for the office have not been ordered by the county auditor, the name of the …
Sponsors
- Peter Abbarno (R) · primary sponsor
- Jim Walsh (R)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM.
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.
- : First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
- : Minority; without recommendation.
- : SGOV - Majority; do pass.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 16, 2026): 94 yea, 2 nay, passed
- House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations: Do pass (January 30, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ELECTIONS
Common questions
- What is HB2574?
- HB2574 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Deceased candidates.
- What does HB2574 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to the removal of deceased candidates for nonpartisan office from ballots; and adding a new section to chapter 29A.36 RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2574?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2574?
- Peter Abbarno (R), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB2574?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2574&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.