By Kip Hill
The Spokesman-Review
Former Vice President Joe Biden appears headed to victory in Washington’s Democratic primary after late votes fell his way.
Biden has continually picked up votes on Bernie Sanders after the Vermont senator posted a slim election night lead. After Friday’s counting Biden held a 29,000-vote edge.
But it’s not yet clear how Washington’s delegates will be divided. As of Friday, because the race is so tight, the difference in the number of delegates awarded between Biden and Sanders may be negligible.
Both men will earn some of the 89 pledged delegates at the national convention currently planned this summer in Milwaukee, but those won’t be awarded until the results are certified March 27.
The Washington Democratic Party will assign 58 of its 89 delegates based on the candidates’ performances in Congressional districts. Washington’s 5th Congressional district, encompassing Eastern Washington, will send four delegates to the state convention, and the first step in that process is scheduled to occur April 26 at legislative district-level caucuses.
Those gatherings, as of right now, are not affected by Gov. Jay Inslee’s ban on public gatherings greater than 250 people, made to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. That ban is set to expire at the end of March but could be extended.
All ballots have been counted in Spokane County, with Biden receiving a plurality of votes. The two-term vice president received 30,362 votes, 949 more than Sanders, good for 35.47% of ballots cast, to Sanders’ 29,413 (34.36%).
There were 13 names on the ballot that began arriving in mailboxes Feb. 21, but only Biden, Sanders and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard remained in the race when they were due Tuesday.
Voters in Arizona, Ohio, Florida and Illinois are scheduled to vote Tuesday. Florida is the largest prize with 219 delegates to the national convention.
On Friday, Louisiana announced it would delay its primary election, originally scheduled for April 4, until June 20, citing public health concerns.
