Abbarno bill to simplify ballot removal process for deceased candidates passes House
CONTACT: Jennifer Hansen, Senior Public Information Officer | 360-786-7720
Abbarno bill to simplify ballot removal process for deceased candidates passes House
When Tom Crowson passed away just weeks before the 2025 primary election for Fire District 5 commissioner, his community honored him with their votes. While a tribute to his service, the situation had an unintended consequence: a posthumous election victory that triggered a state-mandated recount.
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, to streamline this sensitive process passed the Washington State House of Representatives.
House Bill 2574 would allow county auditors to remove a deceased candidate from a ballot upon receipt of a death certificate. The measure is designed to simplify the process for election officials and families during a difficult time, while preventing the administrative challenges associated with posthumous campaigns.
“Tom was a friend and a dedicated public servant, and the votes he received were a testament to how much this community cared for him,” said Abbarno, House Republican Caucus Chair. “However, the current rules forced the county into a recount that cost taxpayers time and money. This bill allows us to honor a candidate’s memory without creating confusion on the ballot or incurring unnecessary costs for the auditor.”
Under current Washington state law, removing a candidate from a ballot requires a formal disqualification process, often involving a court hearing.
HB 2574 simplifies this by allowing auditors to accept a certified death certificate as sufficient proof to remove a name.
“Sadly, when a candidate is deceased, and you provide a certified copy of a death certificate, there’s really no evidentiary hearing needed,” Abbarno added. “It would save time, money, and effort to do this.”
The legislation outlines specific procedures depending on when a candidate dies. If the death occurs before ballots are printed, the name is simply removed. In a primary with more than two candidates, the deceased candidate would be removed, and the third-place candidate would advance to the general election. If ballots have already been printed and mailed, votes for the deceased candidate would not be counted.
HB 2574 now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
