Washington state primaries

[Txbluedog]

I know it's non-binding but any predictions?

[underthematrix]

1. Are you talking about Washington DC?

Bernie won the Washington state primary.

[hrmjustin]

2. He won the Washington caucus.

[Zynx]

4. He won the caucus. There is a nonbinding primary tomorrow.

[Txbluedog]

6. He won the caucus

[2banon]

3. It's one of the bluest state in the country

I'd be very surprised if it didn't go for Bernie hands down. very surprised.

[Zynx]

7. He lost Maryland, Delaware, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Those are all fairly blue states, too.

[2banon]

18. Washington is more left than Oregon

Oregon is the only state that does paper ballots only. Washington and Oregon are pretty much in sympatico. Bernie trounced Hillary in Oregon, after all of the votes were counted.

Far more Left than any of the states you mentioned.



.

[Zynx]

19. I would consider Maryland these days to be pretty representative of the party.

Washington wasn't quite as rock solid of a state in either 2000 or 2004. Comfortable wins, but not overwhelming.

[pnwmom]

22. WA's vote would have been much closer to Oregon's (56%) if it had been a primary then

instead of the caucuses.

[AgingAmerican]

5. I predict he will slaughter her

72.7% to 27.1%

Just a friendly prediction...

[Zynx]

8. I bet the margin is at least 20 points narrower than the caucus.

[underthematrix]

12. I included the FAQ because it explains how political parties

may or may not use the results of the presidential primary

[hrmjustin]

9. He wins 60 to 65 percent of the vote.

[annavictorious]

13. Didn't Washington go Nader in 2000

and help usher in the Age of W and our current conservative Supreme Court?

[reddread]

15. you may be thinking of David Brock

[hrmjustin]

16. No. Gore won Washington.

[LisaM]

20. No.

Washington went for Gore in 2000. There were probably some counties that went for Nader. (San Juan County, currently Bernie territory, has previously gone for Nader and for Ross Perot).

[annavictorious]

10. Sanders won the Washington state caucus.

Some states also have non binding presidential primaries to help GOTV for down ticket candidates or referenda that are actually being voted on.

Nebraska did something similar in early May. Hillary won the non-binding May primary. Sanders won the February caucus. Delegates were allotted according to the caucus results, so Sanders got more delegates.

[Mike__M]

17. There was nothing but the Presidential Primary on my ballot

We had to have it this way because we don't register by party, but the Republicans chose to have a primary instead of caucus. There was no way to send ballots to just Republicans, so everyone got one, and has to mark whether they're D or R.

[pnwmom]

23. WA is one of the states with both the caucus system and a "beauty contest" primary.

The voters strongly approved a referendum years ago to replace the non-inclusive, low-participation caucuses with a primary -- but the party went to court to demand its right to continue to assign delegates at caucuses. So that's what we're stuck with -- paying with our taxes for a primary that doesn't mean anything.

Then, at the caucuses, they have the nerve to pass out envelopes and ask for contributions to defer the costs of holding the caucuses we voted to end!

[underthematrix]

11. Washington State FAQ about Presidential Primary

What is the Presidential Primary?

On May 24, 2016, the Presidential Primary offers all voters an opportunity to participate in the nomination of major political party candidates. These candidates are nominated at each major political party national convention. The political parties may choose to use the Primary results when determining the candidate each Washington State delegate supports at the national party convention.

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How will the political parties use the results of the Presidential Primary?

The political parties retain the authority to decide if they will use the Presidential Primary to allocate delegates to the national nomination conventions. The political parties may also use caucus results, or a combination of primary results and caucus results.

The Republican Party will use the Presidential Primary results to allocate 100% of their convention delegates. The Democratic Party will not use the Primary Election results to allocate any of their delegates. They will rely solely on the results of their Precinct Caucuses on March 26th.

For more information about the caucuses, please contact the political parties.

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What is the difference between a primary and a caucus?

One of the main differences between a primary election and a caucus is who is running the show. State governments conduct primaries, while state parties are behind caucuses. In both processes, voters are selecting candidates who will move on to the presidential election in November.

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Can I participate in both the primary and a political party caucus?

Voters may participate in party caucuses and the Presidential Primary, but only on behalf of the same party.

Every voter participating in the Presidential Primary must sign a party declaration stating that the voter has not participated in the other party's caucus process. Each party will receive a list of voters who chose to affiliate with that party in the primary.

The Washington State Republican precinct caucuses were Saturday, February 20, 2016. The Washington State Democratic precinct caucuses were Saturday, March 26, 2016. For information regarding party caucuses, contact the state political party organization.

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What is the last day to register so I can vote in the 2016 Presidential Primary?

To vote in the 2016 Presidential Primary, you must be a registered voter in Washington state. We encourage voters to register as soon as possible to avoid delays.

April 25, 2016 is the last day of registration by mail or online. Voters not currently registered to vote in Washington state may register in person in a County Auditor's Office until May 16, 2016.

April 25, 2016 is also the deadline to change an address or name for existing Washington state voter registrations.

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How do I participate?

Every registered voter will receive a Presidential Primary ballot in the mail.

Party declaration. You must sign a political party declaration on the ballot return envelope. The declaration signed must match your voted candidate's political party.

Vote for one only. Both the Democratic and Republican ballots will appear on a single consolidated ballot. Unlike other elections, you may only vote for one candidate on the entire consolidated ballot page.

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Why do I have to declare a party?

For the Presidential Primary only, the major political parties require voters to subscribe to a specific party declaration. For 2016, both the republican and democratic parties submitted party declarations for the Presidential Primary. (RCW 29A.56.050)

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What is a major political party?

A major political party is defined as:

"...a political party whose nominees for president and vice president received at least five percent of the total vote cast at the last presidential election." (RCW 29A.04.086)
Currently, only the Republican and Democratic Party qualify as major political parties.

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Where did the party declarations come from?

The major parties drafted the declarations to which voters must attest. They are:

Republican: "I declare that I am a Republican and I have not participated and will not participate in the 2016 precinct caucus or convention system of any other party."

Democrat: "I declare that I consider myself to be a DEMOCRAT and I will not participate in the nomination process of any other political party for the 2016 Presidential election."

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How long will my party choice be part of my voter registration record?

Your party choice will be removed from your voter registration record after 60 days.

http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/2016-presidential-primary.aspx#q1

[underthematrix]

14. I don't care who wins. It's non binding so it doesn't matter

[LisaM]

21. I took my ballot to the drop box today.

I know it's non-binding. But if it's like 2008, the results will be narrower than the caucus results, and more people will have participated. We'll see if that holds. I know my vote won't matter, but if more people end up participating in a primary that doesn't matter over a caucus that does, it will be some leverage to convince the state party to abolish caucuses.

[pnwmom]

24. I voted, too. I thought the party had a lot of nerve requesting donations at the caucuses

to defer those unnecessary costs.

We should be choosing delegates based on the primary our taxes are paying for.

[LisaM]

25. I saw another guy carrying his ballot..

So there will be at least three votes!