Yesterday Washington held the 2012 primary election. The election helps to clear a crowded field of state and local candidates in Washington’s top-two primary system.

Though the top-two vote “getters” advance to the general election in November, some races remain unclear due to low statewide voter turnout.  Currently only 27.5 percent of voters turned out for the primary election. This includes ballots already counted and ballots that arrived at county elections offices but must still be run through the machines. Though the turnout number is expected to increase it is also expected to be very shy of the expected turnout for a presidential election this fall.

In the last presidential election, in 2008, participation was 84.6%. In comparison in a presidential election year, Washington turnout for the primary usually attracts between half and two-thirds of those who participate in the general election. The low voter turnout makes it more difficult to predict what will happen in November – which is not usually the case – because it will be hard to tell which subset of the population actually voted.

Moving forward to the general election in  November, at the time of this post (August 8 2012)  are the following federal, state and local candidates:

• U.S. Senate: Maria Cantwell (56%) and Michael Baumgartner (30%)
• U.S. Representative 6th District: Derek Kilmer (54%) and Bil Driscoll (18%)
• U.S. Representative 10th District: Denny Heck (41%) and Dick Muri (27%)
• Governor: Jay Inslee (47%)  and Rob McKenna (43%)
• Lieutenant Governor: Brad Owen (49%) and Bill Finkbeiner (25%)
• Secretary of State: Kim Wyman (39%) and Kathleen Drew (21%)
• State Auditor: James Watkins (46%) and Troy Kelley (24%)
• Attorney General: Bob Ferguson (52%) and Reagan Dunn (38%)
• Commissioner of Public Lands: Peter Goldmark (52%)  and Clint Didier (41%)
• Superintendent of Public Instruction: Randy Dorn (55%) and Ron Higgins (16%)
• Insurance Commissioner: Mike Kreidler (55%) and John Adams (22%)
• Legislators for the 22nd District: Karen Fraser (100%), Chris Reykdal (100%), and Sam Hunt (100%)
• Legislators for the 35th District (Position 1): Kathy Haigh (54%) and Dan Griffey (46%)
• Legislators for the 35th District (Position 2): Drew MacEwen (41%) and Lynda Ring-Erickson (29%)

Last week was Filing Week- the one-week filing period for candidates- at the Washington State Elections Division and county election offices. Hundreds of candidates filed for 364 offices ranging from the U.S. Senate and Governor to statewide offices and legislative seats.

The results of Filing Week indicated a high turnover in statewide offices, the congressional delegation and the Legislature. Almost twenty-five candidates filed for open seats in the Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and State Auditor offices alone. In addition approximately twenty candidates are in the running for open seats in the 1st and 6th U.S. House Districts and the new 10th District. Finally there is a slew of new candidates running for the state legislature, with nearly two dozen incumbents leaving the state House and Senate.

This Monday marked the final day for candiates to withdraw and the final list of candidates is now official as of Tuesday.

The next step is Washington’s Top Two Primary on August 7. Primary ballots will go out to voters by July 20.

Yesterday Washingtonians headed to the ballot box. Among the multiple local and county measures and races, Washingtonians voted on three statewide initiatives.

Passed- Privitization of Liquor
Initiative 1183 closes state liquor stores and sell their assets, including the liquor-distribution center. The initiative allows private stores to sell liquor and create licensing fees for sale and distribution of liquor based on sales and revenues.

Too Close to Call (Oppose 51%; Support 48%) – Washington Tolls
Initiative 1125 would require the Legislature, not the state Transportation Commission, to set tolls, and mandate that a toll on a particular road or bridge be used only for construction, operation or maintenance of that project.

Passed – Background Checks and Training for Long Term Care Workers
Initiative 1163 would require background checks and training for long-term care workers and providers.

Last week the Secretary of State’s office reported that three proposals qualified for the ballot.

The initiatives include measures to privatize the sale of liquor, restrict highway tolls, and reinstate a training program for home health care workers.

Initiative 1183 would close state liquor stores and sell their assets, including the liquor-distribution center. The initiative would allow private stores to sell liquor and create licensing fees for sale and distribution of liquor based on sales and revenues.

Initiative 1125 would require the Legislature, not the state Transportation Commission, to set tolls, and mandate that a toll on a particular road or bridge be used only for construction, operation or maintenance of that project.

Initiative 1163 would require background checks and training for long-term care workers and providers.

Last Friday marked the deadline for initiative campaigns to submit signatures for the November ballot.

Three campaigns turned in more than 1 million signatures, nearly assuring that they will be placed on the ballot this fall, including measures to privatize the sale of liquor, restrict highway tolls, and reinstate a training program for home health care workers.

Initiative 1183 would close state liquor stores and sell their assets, including the liquor-distribution center. The initiative would allow private stores to sell liquor and create licensing fees for sale and distribution of liquor based on sales and revenues.

Initiative 1125 would require the Legislature, not the state Transportation Commission, to set tolls, and mandate that a toll on a particular road or bridge be used only for construction, operation or maintenance of that project.

Initiative 1163 would require background checks and training for long-term care workers and providers. 

A fourth campaign, to provide for better conditions for egg-laying hens, did not submit signatures. Earlier in the week supporters of Initiative 1130 were expected to be among the campaigns to submit signatures by the deadline. Initiative 1130 would prohibit keeping egg-laying hens in stacked cages or in cages that prevent them from moving freely and fully extending their wings. The initiative would also bar the sale of eggs from businesses that did not comply with this law.  The law would take effect January 1, 2018.

However in a turn of events late last week, the sponsors of the Washington initiative campaign dropped their effort after reaching a national deal with commercial egg producers to pursue federal legislation.

This week the November ballot took shape. At least four intiatives are likely to meet the July 8 signature deadline for ballot measures.

Initiative 1130 would prohibit keeping egg-laying hens in stacked cages or in cages that prevent them from moving freely and fully extending their wings. The initiative would also bar the sale of eggs from businesses that did not comply with this law.  The law would take effect January 1, 2018.

Initiative 1183 would close state liquor stores and sell their assets, including the liquor-distribution center. The initiative would allow private stores to sell liquor and create licensing fees for sale and distribution of liquor based on sales and revenues.

Initiative 1125 would require the Legislature, not the state Transportation Commission, to set tolls, and mandate that a toll on a particular road or bridge be used only for construction, operation or maintenance of that project.

Initiative 1163 would require background checks and training for long-term care workers and providers. 

Initiative supporters must turn in valid signatures for at least 241,153 registered voters to the Secretary of State’s Office by July 8 to qualify for the November 2010 ballot.

Over the weekend, current Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag formerly declared that he would not seek the Governorship in 2012.

In an email statement, Sonntag stated,  “I truly appreciate all the encouragement from a variety of people and organizations about a possible candidacy for Governor.  This support has caused me to give this serious consideration.  However, I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2012.” 

The decision by Sonntag not to run likely makes the race for Governor in 2012 a two-person race.

In June both  current U.S. Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Washingotn’s Attorney General Rob McKenna launched their bids for Washington Governor.

Though other names have not confirmed one way or the other- such as Bill Bryant, Seattle Port Commissioner; and Aaron Reardon, Snohomish County Executive -it appears that the candidates for Governor have been declared.

This past week the 2012 race for Washington Governor filled in a bit more and candidates lined up to consider following in Secretary of State Sam Reed’s shoes.

Last week current U.S. Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA) launched his bid for Washington Governor. This follows on the announcement earlier this month by Washington’s Attorney General Rob McKenna that he would seek the Governorship. 

Other names continue to be rumored as potential candidates- such as Bill Bryant, Seattle Port Commissioner; Aaron Reardon, Snohomish County Executive;  and Brian Sonntag, Washington State Auditor- though no one else has officially declared.

Also last week current Secretary of State Sam Reed announced that he would retire from his positon after a 35-year run in public office. This announcement opened the door for potential candidates.

State Senator Jim Kastama (D-Puyallup) and Kim Wyman (Thurston County Auditor – R) both formerly announced that they would seek the position of Secretary of State in 2012.

Other potential candidates rumored to be interested in the Secretary of State role include State Representative Zack Hudgins (D-Tukwila), Kathleen Drew (Policy Advisor to Governor Gregoire), State Senator Craig Pridemore (D-Vancouver), and former State Senator Eric Oemig (D-Kirkland).