WAC 434-219-235. Statewide standards on what is a vote — Presidential primary

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.