Presidential primary date changed

MOSES LAKE — Secretary of State Sam Reed visited Moses Lake Friday to discuss the presidential primary.

The date was moved to August to allow more time between the primary and the general elections, Reed said. It will give each county more time to process votes and allow for fewer mistakes. Previously the primary took place in September.

The earlier date allows for an additional three weeks added to the original seven-week time frame.

More time is given to county auditors.

"Most election offices are understaffed," he said.

In the past primaries, about 20 counties statewide had mistakes, Reed added.

"The counties were just scrambling to get them out," he said.

The 2008 presidential primary will prove to be the most wide open primary since 1952, he said.

He encourages people to participate in the primary by voting.

Reed advised on average, two to three percent of voters in each state participate in the caucus.

The new date allows ballots to reach those participating in the U.S. military oversees easier. Those in the military have a higher likelihood of participation, he added.

More than 80 percent of military voters participated in the last caucus, despite some being unable to receive their ballots.