A procrastinator’s guide to the Washington primary ballot
The Tuesday night deadline for getting your primary election ballot is hours away. So in case you haven’t voted, here’s all you need to know:
Who’s in? Who’s out?
Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard. Those are the only Democratic candidates on the ballot still actively campaigning.
Washington voters will get a ballot that was printed in January, and includes 13 Democratic candidates listed alphabetically.
Sanders, the independent Vermont senator, is the favorite to win, since he’s got a big following in western Washington. But former Vice President Biden has been surging lately, and with other center-left Democrats out of the race, he could have a decent night.
About those other Democrats on the ballot.
Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Michael Bennet of Colorado, former Rep. John Delaney of Maryland, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and entrepreneur Andrew Yang dropped out earlier this year. Former hedge fund executive Tom Steyer left the race after a dismal showing in South Carolina’s Feb. 29 primary.
After the March 3 Super Tuesday results came in — showing Biden winning 10 of the 14 states voting that day — former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg dropped out. Also gone last week were Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. They all rallied behind Biden.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts dropped out Thursday after poor showings in the state she now represents as well as in Oklahoma, where she grew up. She hasn’t endorsed anyone.
Once you return your ballot, you cannot change your vote. You can check the status of your ballot on VoteWA.gov. If you have filled out your ballot but have not yet turned it in, you can print a replacement ballot on VoteWA.gov or obtain a new ballot at your county elections office.
How are delegates allocated?
A candidate must get 15% in a congressional district to win delegates. Fifty-eight delegates will be allotted this way. Thirty-one will be allotted statewide, and the 15% rule will also apply.
Delegates will be chosen at party caucuses later this spring.
You can also vote for “uncommitted delegates.” That means you want to send delegates to the Democratic National Convention, to be held in July in Milwaukee, unpledged to anyone.
Should the convention deadlock, those delegates could have enormous clout.
How do I vote?
Every registered voter should have received a ballot packet by mail after Feb. 21.
While Washington voters do not have to declare a political party when registering to vote, they do have to check a party box on the presidential ballot. That means you can vote for only one candidate, and it must be from the party you chose. Failing to mark a party oath may result in your ballot being rejected by the county canvassing board.
Only President Donald Trump appears on the Republican ballot. There are write-in options for both ballots.
Voters who have yet to register still can register and participate in the presidential primary. They can visit their county elections office through 8 p.m. election night, March 10, to register, obtain a ballot and vote.
Voters who have accessibility needs may also visit their county’s voting center to receive in-person services. Centers will be open through 8 p.m. March 10.
What’s the deadline for turning in my ballot?
Tuesday, March 10. No stamp is needed but it must be postmarked no later than that day, or you can put it in a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. Drop box locations can be found on VoteWA.gov.
And remember, if you mail it in, the Washington Department of Health says, don’t lick the ballot! Your ballot certainly won’t be invalidated if you choose to lick the envelope seal. But election workers are being encouraged to wear gloves while processing ballots.
Have I waited too long to vote?
Not at all. About half the ballots are usually received Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of election day week. And election night results will not be final. Most ballots should be processed and tabulated by Friday, and the Secretary of State’s office won’t certify the results as final until March 27.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "A procrastinator’s guide to the Washington primary ballot."
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