June 7, 2005 -- The Washington State Grange has intervened in a Federal District Court lawsuit to protect the top-two primary system voters overwhelmingly approved Initiative 872, sponsored by the Grange, last fall.

The initiative replaced the party nominating primary adopted by the Legislature for the 2004 primary with a system where voters can vote for any candidate for an office and the two candidates with the most votes appear on the general election ballot

Thomas Ahearne, a specialist in constitutional law, elections and initiatives, represented the Grange in its oral motion to intervene before the Hon Thomas S. Zilly.

“We knew this was coming and we are prepared for the fight,” said State Grange President Terry Hunt. “With the people of Washington on our side, and a primary system created to stand up to constitutional challenge, we remain confident this is a battle voters will win.”

The Republican Party filed suit against the top-two primary last month, claiming that the initiative interferes with the parties’ associational rights. The Democratic and Libertarian parties have intervened, making similar claims.

The court will consider the facial constitutional questions first, with a hearing expected as early as the middle of July.

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