Washington State Grange

November 21, 2006
Washington State Grange files appeal of I-872 decision with U.S. Supreme Court

On Monday, Nov. 20, the Washington State Grange filed its appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Court to reverse the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal's decision invalidating the top-two primary enacted with the passage of Initiative 872. That initiative, which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2004, created a top-two primary election consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Jones case that invalidated California's "blanket" primary.

The State of Washington also filed its appeal papers the same day.

"Initiative 872 was drafted specifically to not only allow voters to choose any candidate they wished in the primary election, it was drafted to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Jones case," said Washington State Grange President Terry Hunt. "We are confident that the Court will hear the case and side with the voters of this state."