Restructuring the Legislature: A Proposal for Unicameralism in Washington

The tenability of such a unicameral legislature in Washington will be analyzed by examining: 1) the background and history of unicameralism; 2) the effect of the reapportionment cases on the need for a bicameral legislature; 3) the "efficiency" of a unicameral as opposed to a bicameral legislature; and 4) means of implementing a change from bicameralism to unicameralism. In addition, results of the authors' poll of state legislators and a sample constitutional amendment are presented.