A Preview of Tomorrow’s Washington Primary Election

Washington state’s primary election is officially held tomorrow Tuesday, Aug. 6, although due to the state’s mail-in balloting, voters have been submitting their preferences over the last three weeks. The lengthier-than-normal primary ballot is only a preview of what will show up in November and is driven by statewide, legislative, local, and congressional races as voters will select preferred candidates for a number of positions to move onto the general election.

A few notes and reminders ahead of tomorrow’s official cutoff at 8 p.m.:

  • The top two vote-getters move onto the primary regardless of party affiliation, making Washington only one of two states to use this method.
  • Ballots must be turned into a drop box or postmarked by Aug. 6 at 8 p.m.
    • While people have had three weeks to return their ballots most come in over the final days of the election meaning the announced totals on election night are preliminary and results can still change (sometimes significantly).
  • In addition to statewide offices all 98 of the state House seats and 26 of the state Senate seats are on the ballot this year across 49 legislative districts.

Key results to look out for:

  • Following the retirements of Congressman Derek Kilmer, D-Bremerton, and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, R-Spokane, voters in both the 5th and 6th Congressional districts are participating in a rare open primary. Other political challengers may add extra complexity to the primary.
    • The biggest item to watch in the 6th Congressional District is if current State Senator Emily Randall or Washington State Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz will move onto the general election where they will likely face Republican State Senator Drew MacEwen.
    • In the 5th Congressional District, the major question mark is if Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner or State Representative Jacquelin Maycumber will move on to November.
    • While current 3rd Congressional District Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and challenger Joe Kent are both likely to advance to the general election the primary results will provide key data on what we might expect in November.
    • Current Congressman Dan Newhouse is also facing two active Republican challengers in the 4th Congressional District.
  • Key legislative districts to watch especially in the wake of a court re-drawn map to cure a Voting Rights Act issue in the Yakima area and continued evolution post-redistricting will be in the 14th Legislative District (LD) in the Yakima area, 10th LD Senate race (Whidbey and Camano Islands), and 17th LD Senate race (Ridgefield, Vancouver) among others.

Much more to come and stay tuned to the advocacy blog for a recap and analysis of the primary results once the dust settles.

Also…vote!

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Washington Advocacy.