Everything you need to know about Washington’s presidential primary, caucuses and registration
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ appearance at the Tacoma Dome Monday comes 22 days before Washington’s presidential primary. Sanders is one of 13 Democratic candidates and one Republican candidate, President Donald Trump, who appear on the March 10 ballot.
For the first time in state history, both parties will be using primary results for delegate allocation at their national conventions this summer.
In order to participate and have your vote counted, you’ll have to declare party affiliation when you vote, a rule put in place by both parties, not election officials. Your party declaration will eventually be expunged from state records but not before it’s made available to both parties.
The News Tribune asked Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson and Secretary of State Kim Wyman to answer questions regarding the primary, voter registration and how caucuses play into the process.
Q: When is the presidential primary and why are we having one?
A: March 10. For the first time in state history, both major political parties determined they would use the results of this presidential primary to allocate delegates to their national conventions.
Q: Did we have one in 2016?
A: Yes. Over 1.4 million voters cast a ballot in the 2016 presidential primary election.
Q: What’s the purpose of a presidential primary?
A: The 2020 presidential primary is a chance to participate in the nomination process for the office of U.S. president. It was created in 1989 through a citizens’ initiative to the Legislature as an effort to include more voters in the election process. This is the only election in which Washington voters are required to mark and sign party declarations written by the major political parties.
Q: Is the presidential primary a replacement for caucuses?
A: No. The political parties also will have caucuses. They are two different processes. Caucuses are run by the Democratic and Republican parties to determine issues for party platforms and to select the delegates who will participate in state and national party conventions. Pierce County Republicans will hold their caucus Feb. 29. Pierce County Democrats will hold their caucus April 26.
Q: What is a caucus?
A: The caucuses are in-person meetings conducted by the major political parties on a single day across the state. The process each party uses to nominate delegates is determined by their individual state and national party rules.
Q: Can I vote in the Democratic and the Republican presidential primaries?
A: No. Your ballot is divided into two sides: Democratic Party (blue) and Republican Party (red). For your vote to count, you must vote for one candidate from the political party you declared and marked on your envelope. Ballots that contain votes on both sides will not be counted.
Q: So, I have to declare a party to participate?
A: Yes, but for the March 10 presidential primary only.
Q: Is that information disseminated to anyone?
A: Yes. State law requires the Secretary of State to release the voter records (including political party oath) to the State Democratic Party and State Republican Party. Your party selection is later expunged from the voter registration system, but it will always remain in the records of the two political parties. Your ballot selections will be kept secret.
Q: Do I need to declare a party affiliation when I register to vote?
A: No.
Q: How will my party declaration in the presidential primary affect my ability to vote in subsequent elections/primaries?
A: Your choice of party will not affect how you may vote in future elections. For example, in the Nov. 3 General Election, you won’t have to declare a party and you may vote for any presidential candidate you wish.
Q: What if I don’t vote at all in the presidential primary — can I still vote in the Nov. 3 General Election?
A: Yes.
Q: If I can cast an unaffiliated ballot, will it count or is it a waste of my time?
A: There is no option for “unaffiliated” in the March 10 presidential primary. While the Secretary of State, the Pierce County Auditor and others lobbied for this option, the state Legislature and the political parties adopted rules that prohibit “unaffiliated” voters from voting. You must sign a political declaration for either the Democratic or the Republican Party.
Q: Is there a “write-in” candidate option on the ballot?
A: Yes, for both parties.
Q: When will ballots be distributed?
A: Ballots will be mailed on Feb. 21 (military voters have already received ballots).
Q: Do I need to be a registered voter to take part?
A: Yes. Only registered voters can vote in an election, including the March 10 presidential primary.
Q: How and where do I register to vote?
A: There are several ways, and you can register for the presidential primary as late as March 10. You can register online at VoteWA.gov or by mail through March 2. You can register in person at your county elections office through 8 p.m. on Election Day, March 10.
Q: Some voters have reported their registrations being canceled because a confirmation form had not been returned to the Pierce County Auditor’s Office. Is this an actual practice and what prompts it?
A: The only time this happens is when someone is put on inactive status because of an undeliverable ballot or election mail, which prompts the confirmation card. The voters stays on inactive status for two federal elections (even years) and then canceled if they fail to contact the Auditor’s Office. This is required by law.
Q: What should I do if my registration was canceled?
A: An inactive voter should call the Pierce County Auditor’s Office at 253-798-VOTE (8683) to get activated. They can re-register and vote right up until 8 p.m. on Election Day. And, in Pierce County, you can do that at any public library in addition to the Pierce County Election Center. Online and mail registrations must be received by March 2. Register online at VoteWa.gov.
Q: Did you say libraries?
A: Yes. Visit a library on Election Day to:
▪ Register to vote.
▪ Update voter registration.
▪ Get a ballot and vote.
▪ Replacement ballots for lost, damaged, or mismarked ballots.
▪ Get a voters’ pamphlet.
Q: What if I lose, damage or mismark my ballot?
A: Call Pierce County Elections at 253-798-VOTE (8683). They’ll cancel that old ballot and issue you a new one. If there is not enough time to mail you a replacement, they’ll tell you how to print your own replacement ballot on VoteWa.Gov or direct you to a public library. They will let you print your replacement and declaration without a fee.
Q: What will be the deadline for returning my ballot?
A: There are two ways to return your ballot:
▪ Use a ballot drop box (no stamp required). Drop off ballot by 8 p.m. March 10.
▪ Mail your ballot (no stamp required). It must be postmarked by March 10. Elections officials recommend mailing no later than March 6 to ensure timely delivery and cancellation stamp.
Q: Will there be polling places on Election Day, or is it strictly mail-in?
A: Washington State has been 100% vote-by-mail since 2011.
Q: If I send in my ballot early and then my candidate drops out of the race before Election Day, can I cancel that ballot and get a new one?
A: No. Once you’ve submitted your ballot it can’t be retrieved, rescinded or changed.
Q: What is the primary costing taxpayers?
A: It’s estimated to be $13.6 million. The full cost will not be known until late May.
This story was originally published February 16, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
