NEWS RELEASE
June 29, 2004
--------------------------------
For immediate release
GRANGE TURNS IN FIRST
BATCH OF I-872 SIGNATURES TO SECRETARY OF STATE
The Washington State Grange
delivered an initial batch of approximately 230,000 signatures for its “People’s
Choice” initiative to the Secretary of State’s office today.
The Grange will turn in
approximately 40,000 additional signatures this week, which should guarantee
the initiative a place on the November ballot.
“The time has come for the
people to take back control of the primary election process,” said Grange
President Terry Hunt. “The government and the political parties have failed the
voters every step of the way. So we’re taking this issue straight to the
people.”
Initiative 872 will ensure
that voters can vote for any candidate in any office in a primary election. The
system will look similar to the blanket primary system that voters have enjoyed
for 70 years.
This year, voters will have
to choose a party ballot at the primary as a result of a system Governor Gary
Locke signed into law, in spite of widespread public opposition. The Grange
however, has obtained enough signatures to allow I-872 to advance to the
general election ballot. If passed, the initiative will restore voter choice by
allowing the two top vote-getters in a primary election to move forward,
regardless of political party affiliation. Voters will not be required to
select from among candidates of only one party, but rather, they will be
allowed to vote for whichever candidate they feel is best for the position.
“Voters are going to be in
for quite a shock this September when they go to vote in the primary election,”
said Hunt. “This only helps our cause on behalf of the people, because once
they see how the new system infringes on their rights, they’re going to turn
right around and vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ initiative in November. The
people will have the final say over this issue – not the Governor, the
political parties, or the courts.”
Hunt explained that the
top-two system put forth in I-872 will make the primary elections more
competitive, particularly in safe districts.
“Candidates are no longer
going to be guaranteed a spot on the general election ballot,” said Hunt. “They’re
going to have to fight for it if they want it. This means that the political
parties will need to back strong, qualified candidates who can get a lot of
votes. This is a win-win situation for everyone, but especially for the voters
of
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For more information, contact David Burr,
Communications Director, (360) 943-9911.