SEATTLE -- Elections officials are hoping this continuous presidential primary will not force voters to use their ballot to protest.
For your vote to count in this year's Washington presidential primary, you must declare a party affiliation.
While some voters may simply forget to make a declaration, some are omitting it as a protest. One ballot returned had the word “Ugh” next to the Democratic Party box and “Boo” next to the Republican Party box. Another voter selected Republican, but wrote “This is Bogus” on the envelope. Another had “Why bother” for a signature.”
Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson says close to five percent of voters are choosing not to affiliate with either party on their ballot. The elections office notifies those voters to give them a second chance to correct or "cure" their vote.
"Most of them choose not to pick a party anyway," said Anderson.
If you select both parties, your vote will be thrown out with no chance to correct it.
Related: Washington state primary results
In Snohomish County, the rejection number is close to six percent. However, elections officials say that number is about on par with a typical primary.
It's not like this with every election cycle. There was no requirement to pick a party in 2012 mainly because Pres. Barack Obama was running for a second term, so there was no primary process for the Democrats. The state legislature decides every four years whether to force party declaration requirements.
2016 is the fifth time in state history that a party pick was a requirement according to Julie Wise, Director of King County Elections.
Wise says King County voters appear to be following the rules.
"I think that's incredible for an election like this that only comes around every eight or so years," said Wise.
Statewide, 1.15 million ballots were returned as of Monday night. The 28.1% return rate is a higher percentage than the post election figures for 1992 and 1996 election according to the Washington Secretary of State's Office.
Ballots must be postmarked by 8 p.m. Tuesday or dropped in a ballot drop box by that time.
