OLYMPIA — Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs issued the following statement regarding the 2024 Presidential Primary:Â
“As Washington’s Secretary of State and chief elections officer, it is my utmost responsibility to ensure Washington’s elections are free, fair, and conducted with full integrity in accordance with state and federal law. In RCW 29A.56, state law specifies how the Presidential Primary will be conducted when Washington holds this election on March 12, 2024.  Â
“Under this law, major political parties must provide my office with candidate names for the Presidential Primary ballot no later than January 9. The law forbids alteration of those candidate lists once submitted. RCW 29A.68 says a registered voter can go to court to contest ballot placement after a candidate’s name has been filed.  Â
“My staff and I are monitoring legal developments that concern Donald Trump’s eligibility for the ballot for potential applicability to Washington. However, Colorado state courts’ rulings are not binding here. The Office of the Secretary of State and county elections offices will continue to prepare for the March 12 Presidential Primary as Washington law directs.” Â
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of areas within state government, including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office also manages the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.Â