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The Petri Dish
April 16, 2008

 
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UPDATE: Dems leader blasts Reed on rules for primary


Posted at 11:20 am by Jerry Cornfield

It didn't take long for state Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz to react to the release of the rules for the "top two" primary.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

“Today, Sam Reed made it official that Washington state has outlawed minor parties. The Libertarian, Green, Independent, and Progressive parties can sell their office furniture and computers, because they will never again see their names on a meaningful ballot in our state. Dishonestly framed under the auspices of promoting choice, Sam Reed's Top Two annihilates voters’ right to choose among a wide range of candidates and the ideas they represent.

"Starting today, under Sam Reed's Eliminate Choice rules, a Republican in Seattle will be free to choose between two Democratic candidates for the legislature, while a Democrat in Ritzville will be free to choose one of two Republican choices for the legislature,” he said.

Amid all the strong words is no comment on the specific language proposed for the ballot.

Here's what I wrote earlier:
The ballots for the state’s first-ever “top two” primary this August are going to read a bit different than what you’ve seen before.

Candidates for governor on down through the ranks of partisan races will not be identified simply as Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or another party.

Instead, under their name will read “Prefers (Fill-in-the blank) Party” or “States No Party Preference”

This is what Secretary of State Sam Reed is proposing for the language on the ballot. He put the text out today.

Here’s a two-page summary issued by Reed’s office

Also, the state is suggesting explanatory information be sent along with the ballots. These instructions will include this paragraph:

“Each candidate for partisan office may state a political party that he or she prefers. A candidate’s preference does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party, or that the party approves of or associates with that candidate.”

The wording is not final though a decision is needed in June so ballots can be printed in time to be mailed in mid-July.
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