Ballot order can matter a lot, particularly for lesser-known seats with a lot of candidates. The order of candidates' names is randomly chosen by election officials.

So how did candidates fare this year?

-Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers: last on the list of half a dozen contenders for her seat.

-Dino Rossi, presumptive GOP candidate for governor: first among 10 candidates. Democratic candidate Chris Gregoire is listed third.

-Some statewide incumbents -- Auditor Brian Sonntag, Secretary of State Sam Reed, and Lt. Gov. Brad Owen -- all got top billing in their runs for re-election.

-Others didn't. Challenger John Ladenburg will be listed ahead of Attorney General Rob McKenna. And lands commissioner candidate Peter Goldmark, a Democrat, will be listed above incumbent Republican Doug Sutherland. In both cases, however, only two people are on the primary ballot, so both are virtually certain to face off again on the November ballot.

-State school superintendent Terry Bergeson will be listed last among the six candidates for her seat.

-For an open Spokane Valley-area legislative seat: Matt Shea, Tim Hattenburg, Ray Deonier, Anthony P. Honorof, and Diana Wilhite.

-In the western-Spokane 6th Legislative District: Marcos James Ruiz Jr., Mel Lindauer, incumbent state Rep. Don Barlow and Kevin Parker.

-and in the rural northeastern-Washington 7th district: Sue Lani Madsen, Shelly Short, Mike Davis, Peter Davenport, Kelly White.

Expect a ballot by late July. The primary is Aug. 19th.

Here's a list of candidates in the order they will appear on the ballot.

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