Adds a new section to chapter 29A.36 RCW that governs removal of deceased candidates for elective nonpartisan offices of cities, towns, and special purpose districts when a county auditor receives a copy of a death certificate issued under chapter 70.58A RCW. This is a procedural change to election law, not a criminal or penalty provision. The section specifies different procedures depending on whether a primary was held and whether general election ballots "have been ordered" by the county auditor. If a primary was conducted and general election ballots have not been ordered, the candidate who received the third greatest number of votes at the primary qualifies for the general election and that candidate's name is printed in place of the deceased candidate; if ballots have been ordered, votes cast for the deceased candidate at the general election are not counted. If no primary was conducted and general election ballots have not been ordered, the deceased candidate's name shall not appear on the general election ballot; if ballots have been ordered, votes cast for the deceased candidate at the general election are not counted. The section also states that a "void in candidacy" exists when the deceased candidate was the only person who filed during the regular or special filing period. "Deceased candidate" is defined as a candidate for the covered offices for whom the county auditor receives a copy of a death certificate under chapter 70.58A RCW. Affected parties include county auditors, candidates for city/town/special purpose district offices, and local election administration. The provision is part of House Bill 2574 (H-2875.3), 69th Legislature, 2026 Regular Session, referred to the Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations. The text does not define when or how general election ballots are considered "ordered" by the auditor, nor does it describe the consequences or next steps after a "void in candidacy" is declared; it also relies on other election law provisions not included in the extracted facts.

If a city, town, or special purpose district candidate dies and the county auditor gets the death certificate, the auditor must act depending on whether a primary happened and whether general election ballots have already been ordered. If there was a primary and general ballots have not been ordered, the person who finished third in the primary moves onto the general ballot and replaces the deceased candidate; if ballots have been ordered, any votes cast for the deceased at the general election are not counted. If there was no primary and ballots have not been ordered, the deceased candidate’s name will be left off the general ballot; if ballots have been ordered, votes for the deceased will not be counted. If the deceased was the only person who filed, the bill declares a void in candidacy for that office. County auditors are most affected: they must receive death certificates, determine ballot status, and potentially change or remove names from ballots before ordering, which creates extra administrative work and potential costs for reprinting, ballot management, and communicating changes to voters. Candidates are also affected because a third-place finisher can be advanced into the general election and races with a single deceased filer become vacant, but the bill does not say what happens next. Important details are missing about when ballots are considered “ordered” and what procedures follow a declared “void in candidacy,” so county practice or other election laws will shape how those situations are handled.