OLYMPIA, Wash.-Washington’s Presidential Primary is March. 12. Here’s what voters need to know to have their ballots signed, postmarked or returned by 8 p.m. on election night.
The Presidential Primary helps the major political parties determine their candidates for the General Election on Nov. 5.
The Washington State Democratic Party will award delegates to candidates who garner at least 15 percent of the vote, while Republican candidates will get delegates when they get over 20 percent of the vote. A candidate who gets more than half the votes will be awarded all of the delegates.
The biggest difference between the primary and other elections is that registered voters must declare a party when filling out their ballots.
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, voters must choose a candidate from the party they declare on the primary ballot and if the vote and declaration don’t match, the vote will not count.
Although voters in the Primary must declare a party, they do not remain affiliated with that party and they may vote for whichever candidate they choose in the General Election.
Voter affiliation from the Primary is removed from record after 60 days, according to the Office of Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs.
