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| Allen Norman, Democrat |
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| Candidate: Secretary of State |
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| Allen Norman |
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| Age: 49 |
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| Residence: Seattle |
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| Occupation: |
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Legal search consultant and arbitrator |
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| Education: |
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M.A. in education, New York University; M.P.A., California State University, San Bernardino |
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| Political history: |
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Precinct-committee officer, 36th Leg. Dist; Democratic National Convention delegate in 1992 and 1988 |
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| Endorsements: |
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5th and 32nd District Democrats, Young Democrats of Washington |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.NormanForVoters.com |
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| Campaign theme: Register voters and get them to vote. |
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| 1. |
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has declared that blanket-primary elections like Washington's violate political parties' constitutional rights, what form of new primary-election system would you propose adopting? |
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I will identify the stakeholders (the voters, the political parties, the state Legislature, the candidates), build consensus among them and devise a primary-election system that is both legal and sensible and represents all of Washington's voters. |
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| 2. |
Washington voters have been voting by mail in increasing numbers in recent elections. What do you think of this trend? What changes would you make? |
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I believe this is a positive trend, as long as convenience leads to increased voter participation. Convenience is only part of the solution to getting people to vote. We need to better educate and inform citizens about the voting process -- both how to register to vote and where to find information about voting, candidates and issues. |
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| 3. |
What would you do to increase voter registration and voter participation? |
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I would focus on the largest block of voters with the lowest participation rate -- our younger citizens, 18-34 years old. The talent and vitality of our younger citizens should not be ignored. I plan to create student panels in high schools and colleges throughout Washington to educate and motivate young citizens to vote. |
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