NEWS RELEASE

February 26, 2004

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GRANGE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT BLANKET PRIMARY APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT

The U.S. Supreme Court today announced that it will conduct a conference on March 5 to decide whether or not to hear an appeal filed by the Washington State Grange to preserve the state's 70-year blanket primary system. A decision is expected on March 22.

"We are looking forward to this decision," said Grange President Terry Hunt. " We believe we have a strong case. Our appeal is broader and more complete than the appeal the Supreme Court rejected from the Secretary of State."

A case in Arizona affecting its primary was decided by the Ninth Circuit after the Washington State's Attorney General had submitted the brief on behalf of the state.

The Grange's petition includes a discussion of that Arizona ruling and the impact of that decision on other states. The Grange believes this is one of the key elements overlooked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Grange also believes that the dissolution of state's rights is at stake, as Washington State's blanket primary was upheld twice previous to the decision by the three-judge panel on the Ninth Circuit Court.

"We want the voters of this state to retain the freedom to choose whichever candidates they want in a primary election," continued Hunt. "We're not about to turn over control of the electoral process to the political parties. We will continue this fight on behalf of the people of Washington State."

Click here for more information on the blanket primary situation