Washington state is accelerating its primary schedule by two weeks in order to comply with a federal law to accommodate overseas and military voters.
Gov. Chris Gregoire approved new laws Monday to reset the state’s schedule.
Federal law requires states to send ballots to military and overseas voters 45 days before each federal election. But Washington state’s primary election was being held so late in the summer that elections officials couldn’t certify the primary vote and prepare general election ballots in time to meet the 45-day deadline.
Washington received a waiver from the federal rule for last year’s election.
General election primaries have usually been held on the third Tuesday in August. Starting in 2012, the primary will move to the first Tuesday of August. (AP)
