Presidential Primary Dynamics: Past, Present, and Future

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History and significance of the Presidential Primary in Washington State, from its inception in 1992 to the upcoming 2020 election. From the involvement of various presenters to the evolution of voter turnout and party preferences, delve into the journey of the primary process and its impact on candidate selection. Discover how caucuses have transitioned to primary results and the legislative changes that have shaped the electoral landscape over the years.

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Presentation Transcript

Presidential Primary is Just Around the Corner Presenters: Les Bowen, Julie Colacurcio, David Elliott, Cindy Gobel, Stu Jensen, Kelly Moselage, Sheryl Moss, Lisa Tuerk

History of Presidential Primary in WA State David Elliott

Why? The Presidential Primary allows WA voters to help choose major party nominees Provides the candidates an opportunity to learn about WA We are unique, trade, hi-tech, agriculture, Hanford clean-up, fisheries.

Have we done this before? Yes Started in 1992 Following a caucus takeover in 1988 Initiative to the legislature that was adopted with no vote of the people I-99

Events and turnout May 19, 1992 13.48% turnout, voters angry about declaring a party March 26, 1996 featuring an unaffiliated option for the voter. 24% turnout. 67% chose unaffiliated February 29, 2000 turnout 42.6% 62% chose a party ballot School elections too

Events and turnout Legislature skipped 2004 February 19, 2008 no more unaffiliated, turnout 42%, voters unhappy about party declaration Between 2000 and 2008 WA had a state primary where voters had to pick a party The legislature eliminated Unaffiliated at the same time Top two was an expression of WA voters dislike of limited options of party preference

Events and turnout No primary in 2012 May 24, 2016, 34.8% turnout, voters still unhappy about party declaration One party has used the results In 2020 both parties plan to use the results

Whats a caucus? Process for selecting delegates to the convention In the past: used to select Presidential candidates In 2020, both parties plan to use the primary results for candidate selection and caucuses for delegate selection

Whats Changed? SB 5273 Presidential Primary Stu Jensen, Dave Elliott

Date Change 2nd Tuesday in March or on alternate date set by committee March 10, 2020

Party Declarations (No change) Deadline for major political parties to submit party oaths for the Presidential Primary: August 15 (the year before) Final day for Secretary of state to certify the language of each major party's declaration to counties: August 30 (the year before) You may now print your envelopes

Alternative Date Final day for Secretary of State to propose an alternative Presidential Primary date: September 1 (the year before) Last day a major party state committee may propose alternate Presidential Primary date: September 15 (the year before) Final day to set an alternative date for the Presidential Primary: October 1 (the year before)

List of Candidates Deadline for political party chair to submit the names of their candidates & to request an option for uncommitted party delegates : January 7, 2020 (No later than 63 days prior to date of Presidential Primary) UOCAVA ballots mailed 45 days prior: January, 25 2020

Ballot Creation & Instruction to Voters Two lists; D s first per rule. Alphabetical order & clearly indicate party. Only allowed to vote for one party

Example (Stu s creation, not a real sample)

Party Affiliation (clarified, not changed) Parties requiring declaration are entitled to receive a copy of the declarations or a list of participating voters. RCW 29A.08.161 No record may be created or maintained by a state or local governmental agency or a political organization that identifies a voter with the information marked on the voter s ballot ((including the choice that a voter makes on a partisan primary ballot regarding political party affiliation)) except the declaration made under RCW 29A.56.050(2).

Publish Notice of Election February 16 26, 2020 First day to publish is 15 days prior to mail-in registration deadline E-(8+15) Last day to publish is 5 days prior to mail-in registration deadline E-(8+5)

Dates/Deadlines Voting period begins: February 21, 2020 (E-18) New registrations by mail or online deadline: March 2, 2020 (E-8) Deadline for party to submit list of qualified write-ins: March 3, 2020 (E-7)

Presidential Primary Deadline for in-person registration or updates: March 10, 2020 (No later than 8:00 pm Election Day)

Canvass & Certification 10 days after a Presidential Primary (E+10) March 20, 2020

What Hasnt Changed? Sheryl Moss

Basics Presidential Primary is a federal election UOCAVA Retention Parties have the choice to use the results

Basics Party Declaration must match the party voted Votes cast in both parties voids the votes Notices for curing unmarked party declaration

Basics Can a special election be held in conjunction? NO! RCW 29A.04.330 February and March elections may overlap No automatic recounts

Ballots Consolidated ballot Color required Blue = Democratic Ballot Red = Republican Ballot Candidates listed alphabetically Write-in Line required

Recording Party Selected Party selected is recorded in VoteWA Information provided to parties State will handle providing lists Voter selections are kept a limited time

Cost of the Primary State will pay for its share Must send claims for reimbursement no later than 60 days following certification

Ballot Packet Requirements Lisa Tuerk, Cindy Gobel, Les Bowen

Ballot Packet Requirements Prepaid Postage Declarations: Format and color provided by SOS, no alterations allowed Standard declaration per WAC 424-230-015 Each political party declaration with check box for selecting Single Signature Line

Ballot Packet Requirements UOCAVA, special absentee, provisional, and electronically delivered ballots Party declarations may be on a separate insert if not included on return envelope Must include instruction to voter on where to place in return ballot packet FWAB exception?

Ballot Packet Requirements New Same Day Registration requirements Instructions must accompany the ballot How to update address Reissued ballot = current ballot

Ballot Processing Requirements Julie Colacurcio, Kelly Moselage

Ballot Processing Each registered voter desiring to participate in the presidential primary of a major party that requires a declaration shall subscribe to the declaration in order for their vote to be counted A note of party declaration must be made in the voter registration file

Ballot Processing If the voter fails to select a political party declaration on the return ballot envelope, the auditor shall send at least one notice either by mail or email to advise the voter of correct procedures for completing the declaration

Ballot Processing Ballots must be sorted according to major party declaration choice before removal from the return and secrecy envelopes Ballots are inspected and processed consistent with the party declaration Ballots must be processed and stored by party

Next Steps Sheryl Moss

Prepaid Postage State is paying return ballot postage for all elections Dedicated QBRM account attached to the State Enterprise account in 2020 No need to include return ballot postage in your budget