Federal Way voters eager to actively participate in the democratic process will have their chance on September 19.

That's when voters narrow the playing field and decide which candidates make it to the November ballot. The primary also gives citizens the opportunity to vote for the write-in candidate of their choice.

Candidates and propositions that receive at least a 50 percent "yea" vote will proceed to the general election.

This year's primary ballot, which is newly designed, will first ask voters to align with either the Republican or Democrat parties. Independent candidates automatically skip the primary and only appear on the November ballot.

Once voters fill in either the Republican or Democrat ovals, they must only vote for candidates within their selected party, or the ballot will invalidated. Voters also cast their vote for nonpartisan offices, such as Washington Supreme Court judge, and propositions.

The new ballot is easy to understand and candidates are labeled accordingly in vivid red or blue. The nonpartisan section is a bright yellow.

This year marks the last time that Washington State voters will go to polls for a primary election in September.

"The ballots arriving at households statewide are filled with important county and state offices," said Secretary of State Sam Reed last month. "In particular, the 2006 Primary will decide crucial judicial races. I urge all voters to weigh in as Washington holds its last September primary."

Beginning in 2007, primary elections will be held four weeks earlier, in August. The change was made by the legislature earlier this year to give election officials more time to count and certify the votes between the primary and general elections.

Reed made a prediction in August that about 35 percent of the 3.3 million Washington State voters will cast their vote on the 19th.

Following the party preference declaration, the primary ballot received by Federal Way voters will start with candidates for Democratic United States Senator (all sections provide space for a write-in candidate), Democratic United State Congressional Representative for District #9, State of Washington senators and representatives for District #30, King County Prosecuting Attorney and Precinct Committee Officer.

Next is the Republican candidates for the same offices.

Voters then mark their preferences for State Supreme Court, justice positions #2, 8 and 9 and the Court of Appeals.

Lastly, Federal Way voters will see two Propositions #1. King County Prop #1 concerns the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. Local Prop #1 will decide funding for the South King County Fire and Rescue.