Editorial
Don't do it, governor; listen to the people

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Gov. Gary Locke is signaling he will veto a new state qualifying primary election — the Legislature's hard work and the voters' clear preference be damned.

He should not do it.

On the governor's desk is ESB 6453, which would establish a primary that is blind to party affiliation — the top two vote-getters regardless of their party would advance to the general election. But the bill also has a back-up plan. In the unlikely event that the top-two plan is thrown out by the courts, the state would use a primary similar to Montana's. That primary would force voters to choose a single party ballot but the choice would remain confidential.

In a radio interview yesterday, the governor said again he might unilaterally decide to limit voter choices by vetoing the bill's top-two sections in favor of the Montana primary.

"I have to act in a way that is true to what I think is in the best interests of the people of the state of Washington," the governor said.

So the governor knows better than a majority of lawmakers who constructed a courageous bill that stands up to the parties? So he knows better the hearts and minds of Washington's voters, who, according to polls, prefer a top-two primary?

Don't think so.

The governor contends the courts ruled parties have a right to determine who gets on the general election ballot. Wrong. The courts said, if the primary election nominates party candidates as the blanket primary did, the parties should have a say in how they are run. But a Supreme Court ruling suggested a primary like the proposed top-two plan — one that is blind to party — could pass constitutional muster.

The governor says he wants to preserve choice for general-election voters, who turn out in twice the numbers as primary voters. Faulty logic. All voters have the responsibility to vote in the primary. Why should people who skip the primary be given more consideration than those who participate in it?

The governor says the bill was written in a way that "invites a veto." Disingenuous argument. The Montana plan didn't have the votes to get through the Legislature.

If the governor vetos the top-two primary, the Washington State Grange, which first proposed the blanket primary in 1934, is prepared to sue. The parties, which likely will sue if he signs the law, have been exerting a lot of pressure on elected officials to have their way on the primary.

But a majority of the Legislature was able to stand up to the parties.

So should the governor.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company