OLYMPIA — Washington intends to conduct a presidential primary in 2016, though it is not certain when.
Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman wants to hold it in early March rather than late May, as now scheduled.
Doing so could increase the state’s clout in the national nominating process of those seeking to become the nation’s next leader, she said.
But moving it up requires Wyman getting agreement from leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties. Republicans want to do it but Democrats are openly hostile to even holding the primary, saying it’s not worth the $11.5 million it will cost the state. Washington canceled the primaries in 2012 and 2004, citing budget reasons.
“The funds allotted for a primary election would be better spent on education, health care, higher education and jobs,” said Jamal Raad, spokesman for the state Democratic Party.
Wyman said she’s hopeful she can change their minds. She said she doesn’t think Democrats want to be perceived as obstructing voters’ ability to influence who will represent the parties on the ballot.
“People in February and March are going to expect to vote on their nominee for the president of the United States,” she said. “I think we all can agree that the end of May will not be all that meaningful.”
Under state law, the primary is to be held May 23, 2016. Wyman wants to move it to March 8, making it one of the earliest on the political calendar.
To accomplish this, Wyman must convene a committee made up of the chairman and vice chairman of the state Democratic and Republican parties, plus the majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate.
That adds up to four Democrats and four Republicans. Wyman, a Republican, will serve as chairwoman, giving the GOP a 5-4 advantage on the panel. However, state law requires that any date change be approved by a two-thirds majority of the committee. That means she’ll need the vote of at least one Democrat.
The committee has until Oct. 1 to act.
Wyman declined to say which Democrat she thought might be persuaded to break with their party and side with hers.
It won’t be easy. Presidential primaries are recent political phenomena in Washington — the first was in 1992 — while there have been caucuses pretty much since statehood.
The state Democratic Party doles out all its delegates via caucuses and ignores the results of the primary. The Republican Party allots about half based on the primary and half from caucuses, hence its support of an earlier date.
Wyman hopes Democratic leaders will recognize the value of making it worthwhile for voters even if it isn’t worthwhile for their party.
She also touts as a benefit that once results are in, each party will get a list of the names of all those who cast ballots for one of their candidates.
Under the rules of a presidential primary, voters must pick a party and then vote for one of its candidates. And state law assures those voter rolls are provided to the two parties.
“That is very rich political data for both political parties,” Wyman said. An earlier election date means they can get that information sooner.
Republican leaders embrace the idea. They hope with delegates at stake and an earlier primary, some of the nearly 20 presidential candidates will find it necessary to campaign in Washington next year. Leave it in May and it might be of little value for candidates, they said.
Democrats look forward to receipt of the voter list but think May is early enough.
“I understand there is some interest on the other side of the aisle to list-build on the government’s dime and cash in on the combative Republican primary race, but I don’t think that’s a very good reason to hold a primary, let alone move one up on the calendar,” Raad said.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
