The following standards determine the validity of political party declarations on a presidential primary return envelope and ballot. All standards listed in WAC 434-261-086 apply to ballots.

(1) In order for a ballot to be valid and included in the ballot count, the ballot must contain one marked political party declaration, if a declaration has been provided by the party, a valid voter signature, and meet other requirements in law and rule. Only a vote on the ballot within the party the voter selected shall be included in the ballot count. Ballots must be rejected by the county canvassing board for the following reasons:

(a) Political party declarations.

(i) The voter selects both political party declarations.

(ii) The voter fails to provide a marked and signed political party declaration by the day before certification of the primary.

(b) Ballots.

(i) The voter votes for a candidate on the ballot not matching the political party declaration.

(ii) The voter votes for candidates in more than one party.

(2) When the voter modifies a party name or wording of a selected political party declaration, the party checkbox is considered unmarked and the voter must be contacted per WAC 434-219-230. Such alterations may include:

(a) Modification of a party name or wording of a selected political party declaration.

(b) A strike through a party name or wording of a selected party declaration without also making another party choice.

(3) When a voter makes a correction to a political party selection, the canvassing board shall consider the voter's intent.

(a) If the voter strikes through a party name or wording of a party declaration, it is considered a correction only when the voter clearly selects another party declaration. Corrections may be resolved in the same manner as marks made on a ballot according to WAC 434-261-086 (1)(c), (d), and (e).

(b) If the voter does not mark inside a party checkbox, a mark or written instruction made outside the party checkbox may still indicate a choice when one declaration is clearly selected. Voter intent issues for marks made outside the party checkbox may be resolved in the same manner as marks made on a ballot according to WAC 434-261-086 (1)(b) and (e).