On September 23, Washington state Democrats filed a lawsuit in state court against the Secretary of State, who plans to print “Prefers GOP” on the November ballot next to the name of Dino Rossi, one of the two ballot-listed candidates for Governor. The lawsuit alleges that the Secretary of State should print “Prefers Republican” instead. It is common knowledge that Rossi is a Republican. Here is the complaint.
The law says candidates are free to say which political party they prefer, and furthermore the law says any group is a political party. A major party is one that polled 5% in the last election, but a minor party is any organization that is not a major party. The lawsuit also faces procedural hurdles. The Secretary of State says it should have been filed back in June, when the list of candidates and their preferences was made public. The case is Smith v Reed, in King County Superior Court, 08-2-33009-5. It has a hearing Friday, September 26, at 9 a.m., before Judge Eadie.
A poll (which is hard to believe) shows that when Rossi is listed as a Republican, he trails by 10%; but when he is listed as “GOP”, he is ahead by 4%.
Go Top 2.
Smash the party hacks even more.
The top two is terrible. It kills voter choice, murders third parties and makes it impossible to retain their ballot access.
It also gives many residents only the option of voting for two candidates in the same party.
The “top two” system is designed to allow super majorities the chance to dominate both ballot lines and keep all minorities and alternative views off the ballot. It will silence political debate.
As usual — NO MORON primaries are needed.
Equal nominating petitions for [general] election ballot access.
P.R. — legislative offices.
Approval Voting — nonpartisan executive / judicial offices.
A poll (which is hard to believe) shows that when Rossi is listed as a Republican, he trails by 10%; but when he is listed as “GOPâ€, he is ahead by 4%.
Are they serious?
The lamest part is that “GOP Party” is just redundant. It’s like “ATM Machine”.
OK if the Queen Governess is suing Rossi, is she suing…
1) Larry Ismael (prefers GOP party)
2) Jim McCune (prefers GOP party)
3) John Monya (NO party preference)
4) Mike Novak (prefers GOP party)
5) Larry Haler (prefers GOP party)
6) Mike Schoesler (prefers GOP party)
7) Steve Hailey (prefers GOP party)
8) Norma Smith (prefers GOP party)
9) Linda Evans Parlette (prefers GOP party)
10) Bill Hinkle (prefers GOP party)
11) Richard DeBolt (prefers GOP party)
12) Gary C. Alexander (prefers GOP party)
13) Brenda Williams (Prefers Progressive Dem. Party)
14) Thomas Thomas (prefers GOP party)
15) Jan Angel (prefers GOP party)
16) Dave Dooley (prefers GOP party)
17) Alex Rion (prefers GOP party)
18) Todd Gibson (prefers GOP party)
19) Tan Lam (prefers GOP party)
20) Randy Neatherlin (prefers GOP party)
21) Chris Larsen (States NO Party Preference)
22) Dan Kristiansen (Prefers R Party)
23) Steve Litzow (Prefers G.O.P. Party)
24) Kim Verde (Prefers G O P Party)
25) Larry Countryman (Prefers G.O.P. Party)
26) Kevin Haistings (Prefers G O P Party)
27) John Sweeney (Prefers Grand Old Party)
So in this waste of time and money lawsuit, are ALL the above candidates named in the suit as well? These candidates are ALL on the ballots for their districts!!!
OR is it JUST Rossi that can’t run as the GOP?
The Rs are crying foul on this one because of the timing. The time to challenge a candidate’s declaration of candidacy was in the week following its filing, not nearly 3 months later.
The Rs allege the reason the suit was filed now was to delay mailing of military ballots overseas, and thus depress the military vote on election day.