Washington's new top 2 voting system
- added August 20, 2008
- 5 responses
-
-
-
- uroborus8
- added this
-
-
- related topics
-
- News and Politics (45187)
- Politics (34528)
- 2008 Election (1868)
- Civil Rights (597)
- Voting (459)
- Washington (159)
In the past Republicans could only vote for Republicans, and Democrats only could vote for Democrats. The result would be one Republican would run against one Democrat.
Under new rules anyone can vote for anyone and the top two candidates will run against each other in November's general election. Conceivably two democrats could run against each other in November. Candidates are allowed to declare a preference towards a party on the ballot, but they are not allowed to say they are endorsed by a given political party.
The Republican party sued Washington state when voters passed the law in 2006. They objected to the "top 2" concept. The case went to the Supreme Court, and the Court sided with Washington.
-
I'm torn on this. My state is an open primary state, which I prefer. But this law seems to only call for a pluarity instead of a majority. That I am against.
-
There are definately mixed feeling about the Top 2 primary. The Seattle PI did a great job discussing the controversy at this link.
-
I love this. It's actually, you know, democratic.
-
-
-
-
- Armageddon_Now
- 3 months ago
-
-
My question is where does this leave third parties, like the Libertarian Party? Are the Republicans and Democrats going to outspend viable alternative candidates because of their backing by an existing organization (party) and maintain their control over the two party system?
-
-
-
-
- shortbusgeek
- 3 months ago
-
-
Third parties have a disadvantage under this system. Unless they can finish in the top two during the primary, they will not be on the general election ballot.
