This newspaper story from Everett, Washington, explains the election consequences if either Jill Stein or Gary Johnson get 5% of the vote inside Washington state. That is the threshold for qualified party status. The story does not mention it, but a qualified party need not petition for President, so if either party achieves 5%, that would make petitioning easier in 2020.
The last time a party, other than the Republican and Democratic Parties, was ballot-qualified in Washington state was the period November 2000 through November 2004. The Libertarian Party had that status because it polled over 5% in 2000 for Lieutenant Governor, as well as Auditor and Land Commissioner. But after the top-two system began in Washington in 2008, the definition of qualified party was made much more restrictive. Back then a party that polled 5% for any statewide office qualified, but now only the presidential vote counts.
If either the Libertarian or Green Parties become qualified in Washington state for the period November 2016-November 2020, they would still suffer under the top-two system. There is not a single instance of a member of any party (other than Democratic or Republican) coming in first or second in any partisan race in a top-two state, if there are at least two members from the ranks of the Democrats and Republicans also running. The October 1 2016 printed Ballot Access News documents this.
5% is the threshold for major party status.
In Washington, major parties elect their Precinct Committee Officers (PCO) at even-year primaries, using a pick-a-party election, where voting for a PCO candidate is deemed to be equivalent to affiliating with the candidate’s party. If another party qualifies, Washington may wish to revise the language of RCW 29A.52.171.
Since PCO have a formal role in filling vacancies, it might be regarded as a state office, rather than a party office. Washington would be better off revising its state constitution to let the legislature provide for the filling of vacancies.
They could use special elections, which are easier to conduct using all-mail elections since voters are sent ballots and no polling places are needed, and are already used for filling of congressional vacancies. Alternatively, they could use a representative body of voters to fill vacancies. They could be randomly selected from among voters who vote in an election, and convened only if a vacancy occurs.
Another role for major parties is the setting of the date of the presidential preference primary. The Secretary of State or major party may propose an alternative to the May date. A committee consisting of the SOS, the four legislative leaders, and two leaders from each major party meet and vote on an alternative date (a 2/3 majority is needed). In 2015, the committee voted 5:4 on a party-line vote to switch to a March primary. Two Libertarians could have meant a 7:4 vote, which is still short of a 2/3 majority.
Washington would be better off switching to an open presidential primary, and let any candidate who receives 1% of the vote qualify for the August primary, and apply Top 2 to the presidency as well.
“There is not a single instance of a member of any party (other than Democratic or Republican) coming in first or second in any partisan race in a top-two state, if there are at least two members from the ranks of the Democrats and Republicans also running.”
What about independent candidates?
Compelling a political party to run a candidate for any particular office in a state to attain or retain ballot access for other candidates should be seen as an unconstitutional state intervention in the affairs of a political party. In effect, it takes an elective office hostage and demands a ransom from a party by running a candidate for that office or no other candidates will be allowed on the ballot. No voter should ever be compelled to seek any office “to save the party.”
Jim, Washington state does not have two categories of qualified political party. Either a group is a qualified party, or it isn’t. By contrast, in Oregon, there are two categories of qualified political party: large parties nominate by primary, and small qualified parties nominate by convention.
Washington has not had any qualified parties since November 2004, other than the Democratic and Republican Parties. Washington state is the only western state with no ballot-qualified parties other than the Dem & Rep Parties. The Libertarian Party is ballot-qualified in all the other 12 western states, and therefore Washington state is the only western state in which the Libertarian Party had to petition to get Gary Johnson on the ballot this year.
I want to see both get 15 to 20 percent .That will make a difference .Maybe winning a couple of three states to .Question what if the Obama administration declares martial law before November Elections or on Election day will there be major riots in Us city’s .
Martial Law could be declared according to some sources if Donald Trump’s wins .Scary thought .Then there is the issue of an economic collapse and serious recession to . Something to think about other than the distractions by the media on non issues
Every election continues to be new.
The 5 percent stuff for any specific office is meaningless — due to New Age personality cult stuff.
IF and it is a very big IF the general election ballots had —
Which PARTY’s candidates do you want on the ballots at the next general election ???
Names of Parties – vote for 1
— it might mean something.
Richard Winger,
Washington does not have a category of “qualified party”.
It appears you overlooked my question about independent candidates qualifying for the general election when there were two or more Republican or Democratic candidates.