Legislature moves up state's 2020 presidential primary to March

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announces his candidacy for President of the United States, Friday, March 1, 2019 at A&R Solar in Mount Baker.. The Legislature has just moved Washington's 2020 presidential primary to the first Tuesday in March, giving Inslee delegates to harvest if his campaign is still viable. less Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announces his candidacy for President of the United States, Friday, March 1, 2019 at A&R Solar in Mount Baker.. The Legislature has just moved Washington's 2020 ... more Photo: Genna Martin Photo: Genna Martin Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Legislature moves up state's 2020 presidential primary to March 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

The Washington Legislature has moved up the state's 2020 presidential primary to early March, turning what's been a meaningless "beauty contest" into a voice for voters in who will be nominated for the fall election. .

The state House of Representatives, on a 54-42 Monday vote, sent the legislation to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. It earlier passed the Senate on a 29-18 vote.

Inslee has a dog in this hunt. If his bid for the Democratic nomination is alive and kicking on the first Tuesday in March, the Governor could harvest a bundle of home state delegates. The primary has been on the fourth Tuesday in May.

"The earlier date will make the presidential primary more meaningful in our state and will increase participation," said State Sen. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, chief sponsor of the legislation.

"It will also enable the major political parties to use primary election results instead of caucuses to allocate Washington's national convention votes to presidential and vice presidential candidates."

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The 2016 Democratic precinct caucuses, held in March and used to select delegates, were dominated by supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont. The May primary, won by Hillary Clinton, counted for nothing.

The legislation moving up the primary was written by Democrats to be in accordance with party rules. Voters will have to declare a party preference in order to have their ballots counted toward picking a nominee. "Unaffiliated" votes will not count.

"If you are not a Republican or a Democrat, you should not be choosing the nominee of the Republican or Democratic parties: That's how it works," ex-GOP State Chairman Chris Vance, who's now an independent, said in a Tweet.

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a series of rulings, has given parties authority to set their own nomination rules.

Republicans in Olympia sought to give voice to independents, but were outvoted. Nonetheless, GOP Secretary of State Kim Wyman applauded the earlier date.

"Moving Washington's primary earlier in the nomination process will give our voters a greater voice and draw more attention to our state's concerns and issues," Wyman said in a statement.

Democratic State Chair Tina Podlodowski has said the party's state committee will act on delegate selection if the legislation conformed to party rules.

Washington has occasionally counted in the nominating process.

Ex-Sen. Bill Bradley made a last stand against Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 battle for the Democratic nomination. He lost. George W. Bush scored a decisive victory over Sen. John McCain in the state's Republican primary.

But the caucus system has given Washington way-out-there delegations.

Such was domination of 1976 GOP caucuses by Ronald Reagan supporters that incumbent Gov. Dan Evans was denied a seat in the convention delegation. Evans backed President Ford.

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While George H.W. Bush won 16 states on Super Tuesday in 1988, Rev. Pat Robertson was winning the Washington caucuses. The Washington delegation's hotel was far away from the New Orleans convention site, and the bar's only customers were reporters.

The 2016 Democratic delegation, dominated by Bernie Sanders zealots, gave voice to its emotions -- unpleasantly at times.

The voter's gain in influence next year could mean a corresponding a loss for Medina and Hunts Point -- and for pay-to-play politics.

In recent presidential cycles, Democratic (Hillary Clinton) and Republican (Mitt Romney) front runners, and incumbent presidents (Obama and Bush II), have headed to wealthy Eastside suburbs for big-ticket fundraisers. Washington has been an ATM for the Clintons since 1996.

The haul has often topped $1 million. Ordinary citizens have been left to endure traffic tie-ups and glimpse the leader when his/her motorcade has roared past on the freeway.