`Cajun’ primary at-a-glance

Received by Newsfinder from APOct 17, 2004 12:37 Eastern Time By The Associated Press A look at Initiative 872: OFFICIAL BALLOT TITLE: “Initiative Measure 872 concerns elections for partisan offices. This measure would allow voters to select among all candidates in a primary. Ballots would indicate candidates’ party preference. The two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of party. Should this measure be enacted into law?” SPONSOR: State Grange. Backers include former Gov. Dan Evans, former Sen. Slade Gorton, Secretary of State Sam Reed and Lt. Gov. Brad Owen. OPPONENTS: Democratic, Republican, Libertarian and Green parties, Gov. Gary Locke and former Govs. Booth Gardner, Mike Lowry and John Spellman, and the League of Women Voters. PRACTICAL IMPACT: I-872 would replace the newly adopted Montana-style primary, which requires voters to pick only one party’s ballot, with a Top 2 system that lets them vote for anyone for each office. The top two finishers would move on to the November election. ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR: Voters like to pick a favorite for each office without regard for the candidate’s party. The Top 2 system is the closest legal replacement for the outlawed “blanket” primary. The Top 2 plan could generate more competition. ARGUMENTS OPPOSED: Top 2 could result in two finalists from the same political party. The initiative would freeze out many minor party candidates from the November election. The measure would be challenged in court and the parties might take over the nominating role. FINANCIAL IMPACT: State budget office estimates proposed system could cost $6 million less to administer.