My question to her was: "Who is our state is responsible for certifying the eligibility of candidates to run for President". The net net answer is she didn't know. We had an interesting 5 minute conversation. At first she said the major political parties were. She was quite clear that the Sec. of State's office does this for state-wide parties, but the Presidency is different. I pointed out that it would be odd to have parties certify themselves, there is no check and balance in such a system. She agreed.
Of course the real election for President is in the Electoral College I pointed out. She seemed broadly familiar with the concept (after initally confusing it with the party conventions), but unable to say much about it.
I received the promised call back within 15 minutes. The woman I spoke with was also very polite. Her bottom line was the any checks on candidate eligibility are probably done at the party and federal level. She suggested the FEC web site. She was very familiar with the Electoral College. Washington is a winner take all state, and the electors are bound. The first woman's comments now made more sense: the major parties select their electors at there conventions (as she points out sometimes before they know who the candidate will be).
I will continue to investigate. Any volunteers to work on other states they live in?
After their caucuses and primaries, the major parties nominate their candidates for president and vice president in their national conventions traditionally held in the summer preceding the election. (Third parties and independent candidates follow different procedures according to the individual State laws). The names of the duly nominated candidates are then officially submitted to each State's chief election official so that they might appear on the general election ballot.