Why Washington's new top-two primary will produce more challengers

Nothing surprising about the School Board or the Port races last time. It was the outsiders who had the big bucks and the backing of the downtown power structure.

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Though the increased competition in formerly 'safe' partisan districts will be small it will have positive effects much greater than actual risk. That's one of the big benefits of free speech - including benefits to those already in power (a little fact the legal profession in King County seems to have forgotten).

The issue of how parties select, and communicate, their preferences is still an issue. In my mind the Supreme's decision on this matter kicks this issue back to us in a very productive manner and evidences high quality lawyering.

Personally, I think we need to do one of two things - either create a caucus step for all parties, major and minor prior to the top two primary or figure out a way to allow cross party/independent votes to be tabulated and reported, though not counted toward a parties decision.

Given the Supreme's Decision something along the lines of the former is probably best - though the latter, might idea, might be viable, if this debate continues in that direction.

Ranked choice voting, like we have in Pierce County, should also be on the table. Such a voting scheme would remove the possibility of troublemaking - like, for example that of the fake democrat running as 'Adlai Kennedy' to dillute a democrats votes.

But perhaps most importantly this decision gives greater weight to the independent voter - now estimated at 40% in Washington State. We might even see an independent get elected in a formerly 'safe', gerrymandered, district.

And, FWIW, if I was to run - if only to step up the profile of my voice - I'd certainly be happy to take primary votes from anyone at all.

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That's of course what this is abt. To suggest that this will open elections is a fraud and lie. This system in LA has effectivey removed any challengers to the two coporate parties. And anyone suggests otherwise is a flack or lobbyist.

One nice thing is: this will probably greatly reduce election participation, thus saving the gov money. And it will also insure that those candidates deepest in bed with lobbyists can be garaunteed eternal power. Democracy is pesky, and this scheme neatly curtails it! Yay, SCOTUS!

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