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Home / Washington Business - May/June 2004 / Initiative 872: Grange Launches Drive to Install "Top-Two" Primary in Washington |
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Initiative 872: Grange Launches Drive to Install "Top-Two" Primary in Washington |
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Written On: May/June 2004 |
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Written By: by Scott Carlson |
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The Washington State Grange kicked off its initiative drive that purports to protect voter choice following the Supreme Court’s rejection of Washington’s long-standing blanket primary.
Initiative 872, dubbed the People’s Choice Initiative, will allow a voter to vote for any candidate, regardless of political affiliation, in primary elections. In addition, voters retain absolute secrecy of their ballot.
Nevertheless, I-872’s system would be much different from Washington’s former primary election process. Commonly called the “Cajun Primary,” candidates from all parties would compete in an open system. Then the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, would compete against each other in the general election. In Louisiana, where there is a similar system, many general election contests are between members of the same party.
“This is no different than what we already do for non-partisan, odd-year elections in local races,” said Grange Legislative Director Toni McKinley.
Gov. Gary Locke partially vetoed a bill on April 1 that would have enacted a “top-two” primary. Language in the bill that allowed a Montana-style primary where voters choose partisan ballots, but do not register by party, was retained.
Long a critic of the “top-two” system, the governor reiterated his support for a Montana-type system by signing it into law on April 1, while expressing apprehension about the likelihood of a “top-two” primary withstanding a court challenge.
“The governor completely changed the intent of the legislation,” responded McKinley.
“Competition is what determines the quality of candidates we get to choose from,” Grange Communications Director David Burr said. “I-872 will essentially broaden the scope of competition in the primary, particularly in part because, in “safe districts,” the other party doesn’t typically compete. Under a top-two system, they will have to compete if they want a spot on the general election ballot."
“Businesses should be very concerned about this issue,” said McKinley. “Under Locke’s plan, you are now required to vote a straight ticket. Washington businesses have long fought the environmental reigns of some Washington legislators. Businesses can’t afford to play ‘politics as usual.’ They have mouths to feed and communities to care for. When you’re in Olympia, it does matter, and we have a right and a duty to vote for the best ‘business friendly’ person.”
The Grange is now collecting signatures to qualify I-872 for the ballot in November.
“We need to protect the voting rights we have enjoyed for 70 years so that our children can continue to exercise their freedom of choice,” said Terry Hunt, president of the Washington State Grange. “We need to collect 250,000 signatures by the end of June so that the people can vote on this in the November election.”
The Grange also believes that, if passed into law, I-872 will satisfy the constitutional criteria set forth by the courts. Federal District Court Judge Burgess ruled on April 13 that the “straight blanket primary” is unconstitutional because it “prevents a party from picking its nominees.” The decision was in accordance with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling in September.
“This means we can continue to move forward with our campaign of preserving the rights of the voters, and we will remain confident that we’re on the winning side of history,” said Hunt, who believes the “top-two” system will pass constitutional muster since it does not nominate party candidates.
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