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House Committee Votes To Move Washington's Presidential Primary

TVW

A Washington House committee voted Tuesday to allow the state to move its presidential primary from May to the second Tuesday in March.

The goal is increase the state’s clout with candidates before a frontrunner collects enough delegates to secure his or her party’s nomination.

The bill was introduced at the request of Secretary of State Kim Wyman. It would also allow her to choose a different date if she wants Washington to participate in its own version of a Super Tuesday block of primaries.

Rep. Joyce McDonald (R-Puyallup) voted for the bill, but says she’s unhappy with an amendment that takes away the rights of independent voters to cast unaffiliated ballots.

“All citizens who go to the presidential primary would have to choose either a Republican ballot or a Democratic ballot. We all know there are many citizens who want to be involved, who want to participate in the presidential primary, but not necessarily affiliate with one party or the other,” McDonald said.

The bill now moves toward a vote in the full House.