By Matthew Daly, The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. – To state Secretary of State Sam Reed, Washington’s long tradition of a wide-open statewide primary system represents the old-fashioned individual freedoms championed in the West.
To the major political parties, the state’s attempt to create a “top two” primary system infringes on their right to select a nominee of their choosing.
The U.S. Supreme Court considered those competing views Monday as the court, meeting on the first day of its new term, took up a case challenging the state’s primary system.
The three-year-old law – which has never taken effect because of legal challenges – would allow voters to choose any candidate on the primary ballot regardless of political affiliation.
“Washington state voters have a real passion for having the freedom to vote for individuals rather than political parties,” Reed said after the hour-long hearing.
“The people of Washington have been clear: They want and value this freedom on the ballot.”
