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. (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:

   1. (a) Political party declarations.

      1. (i) The voter selects both political party declarations.
      2. (ii) The voter fails to provide a marked and signed political party declaration by the day before certification of the primary.

   2. (b) Ballots.

      1. (i) The voter votes for a candidate on the ballot not matching the political party declaration.
      2. (ii) The voter votes for candidates in more than one party.

2. (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:

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

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

   1. (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).

   2. (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.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 19-20-115, § 434-219-235, filed 10/2/19, effective 11/2/19; WSR 15-24-001, § 434-219-235, filed 11/18/15, effective 12/19/15.]