Seattle Press on Line - Blanket Primary Wins Ruling

Blanket Primary Wins Ruling

Mar 28, 2002 -- On March 27, Washington's blanket primary won a crucial court ruling. Federal Court Judge Franklin D. Burgess ruled that the primary in its current form is constitutional. The state Democratic and Republican Parties argued that the open primary election infringes on their right of free association after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the summer of 2000 finding the California blanket primary to be unconstitutional.

In his 30-page opinion, Judge Burgess said, "The political parties' evidence that there is a burden on their constitutional right of association is, for the most part, incompetent and inadmissible, and at best, it is insubstantial and speculative; the political parties have failed to carry their burden of proof."

Secretary of State Sam Reed said after the ruling, "The blanket primary has worked in our state for more than 60 years. This ruling sends a clear message that in Washington State the primary belongs to the people."

Reader Comments

Discuss this article in the forums!

No comments yet!