Tuesday 21 February 2012 (cancelled): Washington non-binding Primary. The primary has no effect on delegate allocation. The 2012 Presidential Primary has been cancelled.

Participation in Washington State's delegate selection process is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats. Those who wish to participate in the caucus and convention process who are not currently registered to vote may register to vote at the caucus or convention and then participate on the same day.

Sunday 15 April 2012: First Tier Precinct Caucuses.

The Precinct Caucuses meet at 1:00 pm to elect delegates to the legislative district caucuses and county conventions based on presidential preference. After a preliminary tally of presidential support is completed, attendees are given an opportunity to discuss the results. Attendees are then provided a chance to reconsider; and a final tally is taken.

• 69 district delegates are to be pledged proportionally to presidential contenders based on the will of the caucus participants in each of the State's 10 congressional districts. A mandatory 15 percent threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be pledged National Convention delegates at the congressional district level. (as of 14 April 2012)
• CD 1: 7
• CD 2: 7
• CD 3: 6
• CD 4: 4
• CD 5: 6
• CD 6: 7
• CD 7: 12
• CD 8: 6
• CD 9: 7
• CD 10: 7

A fine point: The At-Large and Pledged PLEO delegates are pledged to presidential contenders based on the presidential preferences of the 69 district level delegates elected at the Congressional District Caucuses. Hence, the National Convention District delegates are pledged from the preferences expressed at the Precinct Caucuses while the National Convention statewide delegates are pledged using the preferences of the National Convention District delegates.

Saturday 28 April 2012: Second Tier Legislative District Caucuses.

Legislative district caucuses meet at 10:00 a.m to elect delegates to the Congressional District caucuses and State Convention.

Sunday 29 April 2012: Second Tier County Conventions.

County Conventions meet at 10:00 a.m. to elect delegates to the Congressional District caucuses and State Convention and adopt county platforms and resolutions.

A county that is wholly within a legislative district may choose its delegates to the state convention and the congressional district caucuses at the county convention.

A county that is in more than one legislative district may choose its delegates to the state convention and the congressional district caucuses at legislative district caucuses during the county convention.

Sunday 20 May 2012: Third Tier Congressional District Caucuses.

National Convention District delegates are elected at the State Convention according to the results of the Precinct Caucuses.

36 statewide delegates are to be pledged to presidential contenders based on the presidential preferences of district level delegates elected at today's Congressional District Caucuses. A mandatory 15 percent threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be pledged National Convention delegates at the statewide level.

• 13 Pledged PLEOs
• 23 at-large National Convention delegates

Friday 1 June - Sunday 3 June 2012: State Convention.

National Convention Pledged PLEO and At-Large delegates are elected at the State Convention according to the results of the Congressional District Caucuses.

The remaining 15 National Convention delegates consist of

• 15 Unpledged PLEO delegates:
• 7 Democratic National Committee members.
• 6 Members of Congress (2 Senators and 4 Representatives).
• 1 Governor.
• 1 Distinguished Party Leader (former Speaker of the House Tom Foley).

These 15 delegates and will go to the Democratic National Convention officially "Unpledged".

Notes:

SB 5119, which cancels the 2012 presidential primary by amending RCW 29A.56.020, was signed by Governor Christine "Chris" Gregoire on 13 May 2011. The bill's sponsors were Senators Craig A. Pridemore (Democratic) and Adam Kline. Since the bill expires in 2013, there may be a Presidential Primary in 2016. Note: In the last 2 cycles, the Washington Democrats (2004, 2008) nominated by caucus while the Washington Republican nominated by caucus in 2004 and by both caucus and primary in 2008.

Somewhat related: HB 1860, sponsored by state Representative Christopher Hurst(Democratic) had its first reading on 7 February 2011. The bill moves the election of precinct committee officers to the presidential primary.

HB 1325, requested by Governor Christine "Chris" Gregoire and Secretary of State Sam Reed; and sponsored by Democratic Representatives Sherry Appleton and John McCoy, was first read on 19 January 2011. The bill prohibits a presidential primary from being held in 2012.