(1) "Party affiliation," as used in the act and in these rules, means the candidate's party preference as expressed on their declaration of candidacy. A candidate's preference does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by that party, or that the party approves of or associates with that candidate.

(2) A reference to "political party affiliation," "political party," or "party" on disclosure forms adopted by the commission and in Title 390 WAC refers to the candidate's self-identified party preference.