Don’t blame the primary

I cannot agree with The Spokesman-Review’s Aug. 27 editorial that our state’s voter-approved primary system gives rise to party support of candidates or campaign finance problems, particularly large independent expenditures.

We no longer have a primary that produces a Democrat and a Republican for each office. Voters are free to vote for any person in the primary, and the top two move forward. This system reflects our state’s political heritage and culture.

As always, the new system allows anyone to file for office and to describe their party preference as they wish. The parties are free to anoint their favorites based upon their internal rules, not state law. And interest groups and individuals have long been free to donate directly to the campaigns or to wage independent campaigns. The voters approved this system also, and the citizen Public Disclosure Commission administers it. Criticism arises when large sums of money are involved, “hit” pieces are sent into our homes and candidates find themselves unelected. The courts have said this is protected free political speech.

But the method of the primary has no connection with campaign financing, making public disclosure less transparent or changing the role of independent expenditures. Apples and oranges.

Sam Reed

Washington secretary of state

Olympia