Why Vote in the WA Presidential Primary?
Does my vote even matter?
Question from a friend: “Is there any advantage to vote for Primaries at all? I understand the decision has been made.”
Wow. Great question. Your Primary Vote helps both the candidates and the community.
First, It helps the candidates gain momentum. For example, the WA state primary might be the one to put Trump over the top delegate wise. I know it seems like a done deal, but really, the process is not complete until the GOP National Convention confirms the candidate.
Your vote also helps the greater state and local conservative community to understand how much support a particular candidate has.
Last fall, some political pundits in WA were pushing the idea that Trump was a toxic candidate and that Washington Republicans shouldn’t support him. After our primary results are in, MAGA Republicans should have real concrete proof that Trump is the best candidate to support. Everyone will be watching with interest to see how many votes other candidates receive, as well.
Our WAGOP convention is in April. That is where delegates to the National Convention will be ELECTED as well as the 12 electors to the Electoral College. The convention delegates and electors want guidance FROM the voters, so they can vote the way the grassroots want.
State convention delegates will depend on the primary results to guide them. The people who want to be national delegates or electors will declare who they support, and then run a campaign at the convention. The Convention delegates will vote on who to elect to represent the state Nationally.
Democrats run their party differently, but if you’re voting conservatively, it really helps a great deal if you don’t check out at this point. Your PRIMARY VOTE MATTERS!
Nancy Churchill is a writer and activist in rural eastern Washington State, and the state committeewoman for the Ferry County Republican Party. She may be reached at DangerousRhetoric@pm.me. The opinions expressed in Dangerous Rhetoric are her own.