Who in the world could have predicted this happening?
Leslie Bloss is the only Republican running for an open seat in Seattle’s 36th District, but you probably won’t see her name on the November ballot.
She isn’t expected to make it through Washington’s new top-two primary, in which the two candidates with the most votes, regardless of party, advance to the general election.
In the liberal 36th District, which includes the Magnolia and Queen Anne neighborhoods, Bloss’ two Democratic opponents are likely to take first and second place in the Aug. 19 primary.
“It’s really pretty sad,” said Bloss, who’s competing for the seat left open by retiring longtime Democratic Rep. Helen Sommers. “It’s not fair for voters.”
Although state officials had predicted single-party contests would be rare under the new system, there could be a half-dozen legislative races this year with candidates from the same party running against each other in November.
We told the state officials this would happen. We told the state Supreme Court. We also told the SCOTUS.
They told us not to worry and piss up a rope.
BTW, this was supposedly a “cost-cutting measure†for the folks responsible for printing the ballots.
I would just like to go on the record saying that this lack of democracy is more expensive than actually having a choice.
Freedom of choice
is what you got.
Freedom from choice
is what
youthey want.So how is it that the “two candidates with the most votes” sytem undemocratic? It seems to me that it can’t get much more democratic–the people are getting exactly who they want, by raw popular vote, on the ballot.
To play the Devil’s advocate, If it were two Republicans, or even Libertarians, on the ballot would you still be griping? Or would you be saying “See! This is what the people have always wanted, and the two party system was keeping them down!”?
Yes, Tom. I’d still be griping. I’ve been griping.
It is undemocratic because only party members are allowed to vote for the candidates. If not enough of one party shows up to vote then they can count themselves out of the general election.
I, and people like myself, have basically been told that if we don’t join a party, we get stuck with whomever can bring in the most zombies on Primary day.
That does not look or smell like democracy at all.
Here in Oregon, I’m registered as an independent.
So on my ballot, there was no selection for anyone running for president, nor was there any place to write in a name.
In a district with a 75% democrat population, you will not likely ever see a republican on the ballot… That’s not democracy as I see it…
Like Freddyboomboom – here in CA with gerrymandered districts firmly in control of the Democrat party, voting absentee ballot I don’t have a local Republican to vote for in the primary election, while three interchangeable Democrat puppets challenge each other to see who “wins” and gets to suck on some D-Party bigwig(s).
I getcha Phil, I didn’t realize it was still like that. I thought that got changed too. In that case, I agree with you!
In the General Election, Washington State does not have a party registration.
Voters have until July 19th, 2008 to register to vote or update their registration for the August 19th Primary.
Citizens not currently registered in Washington State have until August 4th, 2008 to register in person at their local election office.
Citizens who have a Washington driver’s license or ID card can register to vote online at http://www.vote.wa.gov
Leslie bloss: http://www.blossforthe36th.com