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Washington state legislative Top 2 primaries, 2018
- General election: Nov. 6
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 8 (mail or online), or Oct. 29 (in-person)
- Early voting: N/A
- Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: No
- Voter ID: N/A (Washington conducts all elections by mail)
- Poll times: N/A
| 2018 Washington State Legislature elections | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | November 6, 2018 |
| Primary | August 7, 2018 |
| 2018 elections | |
|---|---|
| Choose a chamber below: | |
The top-two primary elections for seats in the Washington State Senate and the Washington House of Representatives were on August 7, 2018. A top-two primary is a type of primary election in which all candidates are listed on the same primary ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of their partisan affiliations, advance to the general election. Consequently, it is possible for two candidates belonging to the same political party to win in a top-two primary and face off in the general election.[1][2]
In Senate District 35, incumbent Tim Sheldon (D) advanced to the general election with educator Irene Bowling (D), setting up a rematch between the two candidates.[3] Sheldon defeated Bowling in 2014 by a margin of 8 points, 54 percent to 46 percent.
The general election was on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was May 18, 2018. In the state Senate, 24 of 49 seats were up for election. In the state House, all 98 seats were up for election.
Incumbents who did not advance to the general election
Retiring incumbents
Four Democratic state House incumbents did not seek re-election in 2018:
- Ruth Kagi (District 32b)
- Kristine Lytton (District 40a)
- Judy Clibborn (District 41b)
- Joan McBride (District 48b)
Ten Republican state House incumbents did not seek re-election in 2018:
- Jay Rodne (District 5a)
- Mike Volz (District 6b)
- Larry Haler (District 8b)
- Cary Condotta (District 12a)
- Norm Johnson (District 14a)
- Terry R. Nealey (District 16b)
- Liz Pike (District 18b)
- Melanie Stambaugh (District 25a)
- Joyce McDonald (District 25b)
- Dan Kristiansen (District 39a)
One Democratic state Senate incumbent did not seek re-election in 2018:
- Sharon Nelson (District 34)
Two Republican state Senate incumbents did not seek re-election in 2018:
- Michael Baumgartner (District 6)
- Jan Angel (District 26)
Incumbents defeated
One Democratic state House incumbent a defeated in their primary:
- David Sawyer (District 29a)
Competitiveness
There were 18 open seats in 2018, which was lower than the 21 open seats in 2016 but higher than the 13 open seats in 2014. The 302 candidates running was down from 303 in 2016 but up from 266 in 2014.
| Year | Total seats | Open seats | Total candidates | Primaries contested | Total contested | Incumbents contested in primaries | Total incumbents contested in primaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 123 | 18 | 302 | 47 | 38.2% | 32 | 30.5% |
| 2016 | 124 | 21 | 303 | 46 | 37.1% | 32 | 31.1% |
| 2014 | 123 | 13 | 266 | 29 | 23.6% | 17 | 15.5% |
Partisan control
The tables below show the partisan breakdowns of the Washington House of Representatives and the Washington State Senate as of August 2018:
Washington House of Representatives
| Party | As of August 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 50 | |
| Republican Party | 48 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 98 | |
Washington State Senate
| Party | As of August 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 26 | |
| Republican Party | 23 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 49 | |
Battleground races
Ballotpedia identified battleground races in the 2018 Washington state legislative primary elections. These primaries had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could have led to changes in the memberships of the Democratic or Republican caucuses or had an impact on general election races.
To determine the Washington state legislative primary battleground races in 2018, Ballotpedia examined races that fit one or more of the three factors listed below:
- Identified by the media as a notable primary election.
- One or more of the candidates received a notable endorsement.
- The primary was known to be competitive based on past results or because it was a rematch of a primary that was competitive in the past.
Senate District 35
Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?
| Yes |
What made this a battleground race?
| Incumbent Tim Sheldon (D) and educator Irene Bowling (D) advanced to the general election following the top-two primary for Washington State Senate District 35 on August 7, 2018, setting up a rematch between the two candidates. Sheldon defeated Bowling by a margin of 8 points, 54 percent to 46 percent, in 2014. Sheldon, who held the seat for two decades, caucused with Republicans. Several Democratic organizations, including the 35th Legislative District Democrats, passed over Sheldon to contribute to Bowling's campaign.[4][5] |
Media coverage
This section provides an overview of media reactions to the Washington state legislative primaries.[6] Selected articles are presented as a jumping-off point for deeper exploration of media coverage and as an overview of narratives that have emerged surrounding the elections.
Voter information
How the primary works
Washington uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot, for congressional and state-level elections. The top two vote-getters move on to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation. In states that do not use a top-two system, all parties are usually able to put forward a candidate for the general election if they choose to.[2][7]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Poll times
Washington is an all-mail voting state. Individuals who prefer to vote in person rather than by mail may do so at local voting centers, which are open for 18 days prior to the election. The voting period ends at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Contact your county elections department for more information on voting center locations and times.[8]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
To vote in Washington, one must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the state, and at least 18 years of age.[9]
One may register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at a county elections department. Registration must be completed eight days in advance if done by mail or online. In-person registration is available through Election Day.[10]
In 2018, Washington lawmakers enacted legislation providing for same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration.[11]
Automatic registration
Washington automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, health benefit exchange, and other state agencies approved by the governor.[11]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Washington has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.
Same-day registration
Washington allows same-day voter registration.[11]
Residency requirements
Washington law requires 30 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.[9]
Verification of citizenship
Washington does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who knowingly provides false information or knowingly make a false declaration about their qualifications "will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both."[12]
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[13] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
Verifying your registration
The site Vote WA, run by the Washington Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.
Voter ID requirements
Washington is an all-mail voting state and does not require voters to present photo identification (ID). Voters may choose to vote in person at a local voting center. According to state law RCW 29A.40.160, “The county auditor shall require any person desiring to vote at a voting center to either sign a ballot declaration or provide identification.” Accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state ID cards, and student ID cards. For a list of all accepted forms of ID, see below.[14]
The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Washington State Legislature's voter ID regulations to ensure you have the most current information.
- Driver's license
- State identification card
- Student identification card
- Tribal identification card
- Employer identification card
State overview
State overview
Partisan control
This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Washington heading into the 2018 elections.
Congressional delegation
- Following the 2016 elections, Democrats held both U.S. Senate seats in Washington.
- Democrats held six of 10 U.S. House seats in Washington.
State executives
- As of September 2018, Democrats held six of 8 state executive positions, Republicans held two, and the remaining positions were officially nonpartisan.
- The governor of Washington was Democrat Jay Inslee. The state held elections for governor and lieutenant governor on November 3, 2020.
State legislature
- Democrats controlled both chambers of the Washington State Legislature. They had a 50-48 majority in the state House and a 26-23 majority in the state Senate.
Trifecta status
- Washington was a Democratic trifecta, meaning that the Democrats controlled the office of the governor, the state House, and the state Senate.
2018 elections
- See also: Washington elections, 2018
Washington held elections for the following positions in 2018:
- One U.S. Senate seat
- 10 U.S. House seats
- 25 of 49 state Senate seats
- 98 state House seats
- Municipal elections in Seattle
Demographics
| Demographic data for Washington | ||
|---|---|---|
| Washington | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 7,160,290 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 66,456 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 77.8% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 3.6% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 7.7% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 1.3% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.6% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 5.2% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 12% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 90.4% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 32.9% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $61,062 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 14.4% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Washington. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
As of July 2016, Washington's three largest cities were Seattle (pop. est. 724,745), Spokane (pop. est. 217,108), and Tacoma (pop. est. 213,418).[15][16]
State election history
This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in Washington from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the Washington Secretary of State.
Historical elections
Presidential elections, 2000-2016
This chart shows the results of the presidential election in Washington every year from 2000 to 2016.
| Election results (President of the United States), Washington 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First-place candidate | First-place candidate votes (%) | Second-place candidate | Second-place candidate votes (%) | Margin of victory (%) |
| 2016 |  Hillary Clinton |
54.3% |  Donald Trump |
38.1% | 16.2% |
| 2012 | Barack Obama |
51.2% | Mitt Romney |
41.2% | 10.0% |
| 2008 | Barack Obama |
57.6% | John McCain |
40.5% | 17.1% |
| 2004 | John Kerry |
52.8% | George W. Bush |
45.6% | 7.2% |
| 2000 | Al Gore |
50.2% | George W. Bush |
44.6% | 5.8% |
U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016
This chart shows the results of U.S. Senate races in Washington from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered so that roughly one-third of the seats are up every two years.
| Election results (U.S. Senator), Washington 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First-place candidate | First-place candidate votes (%) | Second-place candidate | Second-place candidate votes (%) | Margin of victory (%) |
| 2016 | Patty Murray |
59.0% | Chris Vance |
40.1% | 18.9% |
| 2012 | Maria Cantwell |
60.4% | Michael Baumgartner |
39.5% | 20.9% |
| 2010 | Patty Murray |
52.4% | Dino Rossi |
47.6% | 4.8% |
| 2006 | Maria Cantwell |
56.9% | Michael McGavick |
39.9% | 17.0% |
| 2004 | Patty Murray |
55.0% | George R. Nethercutt, Jr. |
44.7% | 10.3% |
| 2000 | Maria Cantwell |
48.7% | Slade Gorton |
48.6% | 0.1% |
Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016
This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Washington.
| Election results (Governor), Washington 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First-place candidate | First-place candidate votes (%) | Second-place candidate | Second-place candidate votes (%) | Margin of victory (%) |
| 2016 | Jay Inslee |
54.4% | Bill Bryant |
45.6% | 8.8% |
| 2012 | Jay Inslee |
51.5% | Rob McKenna |
48.6% | 0.9% |
| 2008 | Christine Gregoire |
53.2% | Dino Rossi |
46.8% | 6.4% |
| 2004 | Christine Gregoire |
48.9% | Dino Rossi |
48.9% | 0.0% |
| 2000 | Gary Locke |
58.4% | John Carlson |
39.7% | 7.1% |
Congressional delegation, 2000-2016
This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent Washington in the U.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.
| Congressional delegation, Washington 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Republicans | Republicans (%) | Democrats | Democrats (%) | Balance of power |
| 2016 | 4 |
40% | 6 |
60% | D+2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
40% | 6 |
60% | D+2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
44.4% | 5 |
55.5% | D+1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
44.4% | 5 |
55.5% | D+1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
33.3% | 6 |
66.7% | D+2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
33.3% | 6 |
66.7% | D+2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
33.3% | 6 |
66.7% | D+2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
33.3% | 6 |
66.7% | D+2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
33.3% | 6 |
66.7% | D+2 |
Trifectas, 1992-2017
A state government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.
Washington Party Control: 1992-2024
Eighteen years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R[17] | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| House | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | S | S | S | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
See also
- Washington House of Representatives elections, 2018
- Washington State Senate elections, 2018
- Washington State Legislature
- Washington elections, 2018
Footnotes
- ↑ Taegan Goddard's Political Dictionary, "Jungle primary," accessed January 13, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed September 11, 2017 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "ncsl" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ The New York Times, "Washington Primary Election Results," August 8, 2018
- ↑ Kitsap Sun, "Sheldon faces familiar challenger in state Senate race," July 16, 2018
- ↑ Public Disclosure Commission, "Irene Bowling, 2018," accessed July 20, 2018
- ↑ In selecting articles for inclusion in this section, Ballotpedia has drawn from a variety of sources and viewpoints to identify articles that are representative of broader trends in media coverage.
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Top 2 Primary: FAQs for Candidates," accessed October 3, 2024
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, “Frequently Asked Questions on Voting by Mail,” accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Washington Secretary of State, "Voter Eligibility," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Voter registration deadlines," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 The Hill, "Wash. gov signs universal voter registration law," March 20, 2018
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Washington State Voter Registration Form," accessed November 2, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 29A.40.160," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ Washington Demographics, "Washington Cities by Population," accessed December 11, 2017
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "Quickfacts Washington," accessed December 11, 2017
- ↑ Democrats gained full control of the state Senate after a special election on November 7, 2017.
