Q&A | Caucus vs. primary: What you should know

Here are some questions and answers about the state's upcoming caucuses and presidential primary.

Q: As a Washington voter, how can I have a say in nominating a candidate for president?

A: Washington has one of the nation's most unusual presidential candidate-nominating processes. The Democratic and Republican parties will hold precinct caucuses Feb. 9; then the state will hold its presidential-primary election Feb. 19.

Q: Does that mean I get to vote twice?

A: Yes, but here is where it gets tricky. The Republican Party is using caucuses and state conventions to select about half of its pledged delegates to the party's national convention. The rest will be allocated according to the results of the primary. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is ignoring the primary and selecting all of its delegates through caucuses and state conventions.

Q: Why do we have both a primary and caucuses?

A: The parties used to select delegates solely through precinct caucuses and state conventions. In 1989, the Legislature adopted a citizen initiative calling for presidential primaries. But the parties have never fully accepted the primary as a way to pick delegates.

Q: Can I vote in one party's caucus and the other's primary?

A: You could, but you're not supposed to. In fact, in order to take part in the caucuses or vote in the primary, you will be required to sign an oath declaring that you have not or will not take part in any other party's nominating process.

Q: You mean I will have to declare myself Democrat or Republican?

A: Yes. Although Washington voters are not required to register by party, in order to participate in the presidential nominating process you will be required to reveal your party affiliation.

Q: What if I consider myself an independent voter? Will I still be required to declare a party affiliation for the primary?

A: Yes. Unlike in the last two presidential primaries, you won't be able to pick an "unaffiliated" ballot. Neither party counted those votes, so the state dropped that option.

Q: Will my party choice be secret?

A: Not for the primary. Both parties will receive a list of who voted in that party's primary. That information is public for a limited period — it must be removed from the state's voter-registration records 60 days after the election is certified. The lists of who attends the precinct caucuses belong to the parties and are not public record.

Q: Do I have to be a registered voter to attend the precinct caucuses?

A: Yes, with one exception. The Democratic Party will allow people who are 17 but will turn 18 by the Nov. 4 general election to take part in caucuses.

Q: For the primary, will I vote by mail or in person?

A: The primary will be conducted entirely by mail, except in King and Pierce counties, where voters can vote by mail or at the polls. Information in King County can be found at www.metrokc.gov/elections. For Pierce County, go to www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/aud/elections/main.htm.

Q: How do I find where my precinct caucus will be held?

A: For the Democratic Party go online to www.wa-democrats.org/caucusfinder or call 206-583-4345.

To locate Republican caucuses, contact the party's chapter for your county. A list of the county parties is at www.wsrp.org. King County Republicans have a caucus locator at http://kcgop.org/caucus_locator.html. For Snohomish County GOP caucuses: http://web5.co.snohomish.wa.us/auditorapps/audprecinct/audprec01-enteraddr.asp.

— Staff reporter Ralph Thomas