Washington Administrative Code
Title 434 - Secretary of State
Chapter 434-219 - Presidential primary
Section 434-219-235 - Statewide standards on what is a vote-Presidential primary

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 434-219-235

Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024

The following standards determine the validity of political party declarations on a presidential primary return envelope and ballot. All standards listed in WAC 434-261-086 apply to ballots.

(1) In order for a ballot to be valid and included in the ballot count, the ballot must contain one marked political party declaration, if a declaration has been provided by the party, a valid voter signature, and meet other requirements in law and rule. Only a vote on the ballot within the party the voter selected shall be included in the ballot count. Ballots must be rejected by the county canvassing board for the following reasons:

(a) Political party declarations.
(i) The voter selects both political party declarations.

(ii) The voter fails to provide a marked and signed political party declaration by the day before certification of the primary.

(b) Ballots.
(i) The voter votes for a candidate on the ballot not matching the political party declaration.

(ii) The voter votes for candidates in more than one party.

(2) When the voter modifies a party name or wording of a selected political party declaration, the party checkbox is considered unmarked and the voter must be contacted per WAC 434-219-230. Such alterations may include:

(a) Modification of a party name or wording of a selected political party declaration.

(b) A strike through a party name or wording of a selected party declaration without also making another party choice.

(3) When a voter makes a correction to a political party selection, the canvassing board shall consider the voter's intent.

(a) If the voter strikes through a party name or wording of a party declaration, it is considered a correction only when the voter clearly selects another party declaration. Corrections may be resolved in the same manner as marks made on a ballot according to WAC 434-261-086(1)(c), (d), and (e).

(b) If the voter does not mark inside a party checkbox, a mark or written instruction made outside the party checkbox may still indicate a choice when one declaration is clearly selected. Voter intent issues for marks made outside the party checkbox may be resolved in the same manner as marks made on a ballot according to WAC 434-261-086(1)(b) and (e).

Exception: One mark that strikes through a party name or wording of the party declaration does not indicate a selection.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Washington may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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