Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1974 NO. 12 >

(1) In view of a recent ruling by the United States Supreme Court with respect to the constitutionality of filing fees in the case of indigent persons seeking to become candidates for public office, the requirements of RCW 29.18.050 are no longer constitutionally enforceable with respect to candidates for office in the state of Washington who wish to file for public office but who are unable to pay the filing fees prescribed by that statute. (2) The secretary of state has the authority under RCW 29.24.080 to adopt a rule or regulation requiring any candidate claiming to be unable to pay the fee required by RCW 29.18.050 for the particular office he is seeking to execute and file with his declaration of candidacy a supplemental affidavit attesting to that fact.