Top 2’ primary plan qualifies for state vote

Fri., July 23, 2004

Associated Press

OLYMPIA – The state Grange on Thursday secured a spot on the November statewide ballot for a “Top 2” primary election system.

The Grange is the farm-based fraternal group that sponsored Washington’s popular blanket primary 70 years ago.

The courts threw out that system, which allows crossover voting, and Gov. Gary Locke used his veto pen to create a Montana-style system that requires voters to restrict themselves to one party’s primary. That system will be used for the first time on Sept. 14.

The Grange is sponsoring Initiative 872, patterned loosely after Louisiana’s Cajun Primary, which allows the top two vote-getters for each office to advance to the November election, regardless of party.

Voters could choose their favorite for each office.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Top 2’ primary plan qualifies for state vote

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Portland athletic club partially ‘destroyed’ after former employee drives explosives-filled car into building, sources say

WA sues Safeway’s owner Albertsons over allegedly fake BOGO deals

WA politicians react to shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner