Wash. voters weigh in on crowded primary ballot
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington voters have a crowded primary ballot to decide on, choosing which candidates to advance to the general election in dozens of races ranging from governor to the Supreme Court.
Secretary of State Sam Reed is predicting a 46 percent turnout for Tuesday's primary, though only about half the ballots are expected to be returned by election night.
Washington is a vote-by-mail state, and all of its 3.7 million voters received their ballots weeks ago. Voters have to have their ballots postmarked and in the mail by Tuesday, or they can drop them off at specialized boxes around the state by 8 p.m.
The top statewide race that voters are considering is the campaign to replace Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is not seeking a third term. Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee are expected to easily advance to a November matchup that likely will be one of the most competitive governor's races in the nation.
Also being decided in Tuesday's primary are several other high-profile races in which the competition for the top two places is more pitched, including a crowded ticket for the 1st Congressional District, the seat from which Inslee resigned to focus on the governor's race.
Seven people are campaigning for the seat in the newly redrawn 1st District: Democrats Suzan DelBene, Darcy Burner, state Sen. Steve Hobbs, Laura Ruderman and Darshan Rauniyar; Republican John Koster; and independent Larry Ishmael.
All but Hobbs and Ishmael also are seeking to advance in a special election for the final month of Inslee's term for his seat before redistricting.
In statewide races, U.S. Maria Cantwell is seeking her third term and is expected to easily advance to the November ballot, along with Republican state Sen. Michael Baumgartner. Voters also will decide several other races, including lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, three state Supreme Court seats and dozens of legislative seats.
In some races, the primary will be more decisive. The three seats for state Supreme Court, as well as the race for the state's top education post, are subject to special rules that allow any candidate who gets more than 50 percent of the vote to advance alone to the general election ballot.
Secretary of State Sam Reed is predicting a 46 percent turnout for Tuesday's primary, though only about half the ballots are expected to be returned by election night.
Washington is a vote-by-mail state, and all of its 3.7 million voters received their ballots weeks ago. Voters have to have their ballots postmarked and in the mail by Tuesday, or they can drop them off at specialized boxes around the state by 8 p.m.
The top statewide race that voters are considering is the campaign to replace Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is not seeking a third term. Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee are expected to easily advance to a November matchup that likely will be one of the most competitive governor's races in the nation.
Also being decided in Tuesday's primary are several other high-profile races in which the competition for the top two places is more pitched, including a crowded ticket for the 1st Congressional District, the seat from which Inslee resigned to focus on the governor's race.
Seven people are campaigning for the seat in the newly redrawn 1st District: Democrats Suzan DelBene, Darcy Burner, state Sen. Steve Hobbs, Laura Ruderman and Darshan Rauniyar; Republican John Koster; and independent Larry Ishmael.
All but Hobbs and Ishmael also are seeking to advance in a special election for the final month of Inslee's term for his seat before redistricting.
In statewide races, U.S. Maria Cantwell is seeking her third term and is expected to easily advance to the November ballot, along with Republican state Sen. Michael Baumgartner. Voters also will decide several other races, including lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, three state Supreme Court seats and dozens of legislative seats.
In some races, the primary will be more decisive. The three seats for state Supreme Court, as well as the race for the state's top education post, are subject to special rules that allow any candidate who gets more than 50 percent of the vote to advance alone to the general election ballot.
After decades of seeing both conservatives and liberals wreck our economy it's gonna be an "all Independent" vote this year!
all i can say why run for office when nobody knows who you are?
Renton voters are voting to Save their iconic Cedar River Library (Prop. 1) the only library built over a river in the nation.
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The libraryâs front walkway stretches 150 feet across the river, forming a deck from which salmon are viewed as they make their way up the river. The library is sited adjacent to Liberty Park and its playgrounds, ball fields, skateboard facility, picnic shelters and Cedar River Trail.
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Tens of thousands of Puget Sound area commuters see Rentonâs most iconic location daily as they travel I-405 through Renton.
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 @Richard Bray The same library that shades the Cedar River and therefore kills returning salmon? At least according to the State Department of Ecology, that's what the library does.
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Me... I don't live in Renton so have no concern one way or the other.
 @Richard Bray It's actually refreshing and nice to see a post like this, I just wish it didn't taste so astroturfey.
 @Richard Bray so your saying 100's of people use the restrooms at the library but only a few check out books and the building (iconic) is not earthquake resistant and will fall into the green river in the big one and the tax payers should pay for all the costly repairs it needs?
Our governors race will be the most competitive in the country?? Gosh, I sure hope not.
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I have yet to hear Jay Inslee be specific about ANY solution to our states problems. Â He always gives vague answers to questions and outright dodges others. If his job in Congress is any indication of how good he is with money, I think we need better leadership in our state. Â My vote is for McKenna.
 @JoeKing I don't think Inslee's done a good job with the campaign. On the other hand, I don't think McKenna's done a good job, period.
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His whole barring reporters from public meetings---completely illegal, and if an AG so flippantly violates the law like that, just wait until he has more power.
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http://legalnews.findlaw.com/article/0gJJfZzdWH26n
 @WWRJD Oh horse poop. The guy had no press credentials. All other reporters were admitted. Please try just for once in your miserable existence to be non-partisan.
 @JoeKing I can take your "good with money" argument and flip it on McKenna, the AG that has paid out record money in tort settlements after running specifically on the promise of tort reform.Â
 @caphillkid Yes, paid out tort claims from his predecessor, your goddess Chrissie. She racked up the damage and McKenna got the honor of paying it under his watch.
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You know this. Your statement coupled with your knowledge of the truth shows what a shallow, non-thinking partisan son of a bi$*% you really are. People like you personify everything that's wrong with current American politics.
I sure hope Suzan DelBene gets tossed in this round. I'm so tired of those constant nagging phone calls over and over again.
Go Koster!
I have been inundated with robo calls and people calling to ask for support for a candidate. Really irritating since I mailed in my ballot shortly after I received it.Â
 @Darn it! I had one come in by a candidate for the judicial seats in Pierce County. I called back informing them its unsolicited harassment (Im on the National Do Not Call Registry btw) and that candidate certainly lost the option of a vote out of me. Never heard so much stuttering from a person trying to apologize.
 @DarkRenegade political calls are exempt so are other certain other fund raising calls. i'm on the DNC too but it doesn't stop some phone mills from calling.
 @DarkRenegade Unfortunately, politicians can still call when you're registered. Awful.
 @32jim2 Perhaps they should rename it the "National Do not call registry with exceptions that will annoy the public."?
If you don't bother to vote then you've shouldn't be able to complain.