US Supreme Court Rules Against The Political Parties

“Even if voters could possibly misinterpret the designations, I–872 cannot be struck down in a facial challenge based on the mere possibility of voter confusion. … And without the specter of widespread voter confusion, respondents’ forced association and compelled speech arguments fall flat.”

In a 7 to 2 vote, and with sometimes strong language, the US Supreme Court has upheld Washington State’s Top Two Primary, known as I-872.

The citizens of Washington enjoyed the freedom to vote for the person, not the party, from 1936 to 2003. This privilege has been a fundamental part of a Washington states populist political culture that held the people, not the parties, ought to control the process of electing their leaders.

Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed said in an email that “I am thrilled to announce that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Top Two Primary, I-872! We plan to implement the Top Two in 2008.” Reed also took the opportunity to thank others in the state who fought to retain I-872, adding “I greatly appreciate the ongoing support of the elections community, the Grange, the Attorney General, and many legislators in this long effort to preserve greater choice for the voters.”

The two major political parties were less than pleased, as this will undermine their power and potential influence, since voters will not have to declare any party affiliation, and can vote for any candidate, regardless of the candidate’s political party preference. The Court rejected the political parties’ claims that this type of primary is unconstitutional.

Just as the voters of San Juan County were able to use a local initiative to overturn the County Council stormwater funding ordinance, the voters of Washington in 2004 voted for an initiative that created the so-called Top-Two plan, but it was blocked by court challenges. Challenges that have now in turn been blocked, stopped and struck down by the US Supreme Court.


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League of Women Voters Hosts Dr. John Geyman March 10

At the next meeting of the League of Women Voters of the San Juans Dr. John Geyman will give a talk entitled "Reforming Our Collapsing Health Care System." The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, March 10 at the San Juan Library. Any and all interested people are invited to attend.

Dr. Geyman, who lives on San Juan Island, is one of the most published family physicians in the United States. He is the retired chair of the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, a founder and long-time editor of the Journal of Family Practice and a pioneer in family physician residency training.

After his 30-year academic career he returned to clinical practice in the San Juans, where he also founded the EMT program. Dr. Geyman is active with Physicians for a National Health Plan, an organization of physicians working for comprehensive health care in the United States.
The meeting will also feature a brief review of current League of Women Voters of Washington Action Priorities.

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