Field of candidates is set to appear on Washington’s presidential primary ballot

A total of 14 candidates — all but one, Democrats — will be on Washington’s 2020 Presidential Primary ballot.

The presidential primary is March 10, and Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman certified lists this week of candidates submitted by the state Democratic and Republican parties to be included on the ballot.

Democratic party officials submitted 13 candidates to be included on the ballot: Michael Bennet, Joseph R. Biden, Michael Bloomberg, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Deval Patrick, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, and Andrew Yang.

There will also be a 14th option for voters to indicate a preference that delegates to the Democratic party’s national convention remain uncommitted.

Voters who select the “uncommitted” option may only cast their vote for that option; voters may not vote for a candidate in addition to selecting “uncommitted” on their ballot, state officials said.

For Republicans, there will be just one choice.

Donald Trump will be the only Republican candidate included on the ballot, and officials said an “uncommitted” option will not be provided to Republican voters.

All voters participating in Washington’s 2020 Presidential Primary must mark and sign a party declaration on their return envelope in order for their vote to be counted.

Though candidates from both major political parties will appear on the ballot, voters may only make one selection among their party’s list of candidates.

Officials noted that the presidential primary is the only statewide election in which voters are required to select a political party.

The presidential primary is being held earlier than usual this time.

Previously, officials said state law held the primary on the fourth Tuesday of May, well after the field of candidates is condensed.

After years of working with the state Legislature to move the primary to an earlier date, lawmakers approved a bill in 2019 to advance the primary to the second Tuesday in March.

“Holding the presidential primary earlier in the year is a boon for Washington as it gives our voters a greater voice in the nomination process for U.S. President,” said Secretary of State Kim Wyman. “By making Washington more relevant in this process, I’m optimistic we’ll see record-breaking turnout in March.”

Ballots for the presidential primary will be mailed to registered voters by Feb. 21.

Voters will have until 8 p.m. March 10 to return their ballots.

For more information about Washington’s 2020 Presidential Primary, visit https://www.sos.wa.gov//elections/voters/presidential-primary-faqs-.aspx.

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