What is it? Initiative 872, sponsored by the Washington State Grange, would change the state’s new primary election system to a top-two election, in which voters can cast ballots for any candidates, regardless of party, with the top two finishers advancing to the general election.

Why is it on the ballot? Washington state’s long-standing blanket primary, which allowed voters to pick any candidate regardless of party affiliation, was ruled unconstitutional by the federal courts last year. In response, a top-two primary was adopted by the Washington State Legislature this year, but Gov. Gary Locke partially vetoed it, substituting the so-called Montana primary in which where voters are required to choose a political party in the primary.

In King County voters had to mark on the ballot whether they were voting Democratic, Republican or Libertarian, and had to pick from among that preference party’s candidates in partisan races. In other counties, voters had to ask for a specific party ballot.

The new primary was unpopular with voters, who flooded Secretary of State Sam Reed’s office with complaints

Who supports it? The Washington State Grange, which was the original sponsor of the blanket primary 70 years ago, is behind I-872. The initiative will return voter choice to the primary and will allow voters to cross party lines when choosing candidates in the primary, much like the old blanket primary. They say it will increase voter participation. It’s also supported by Secretary of State Sam Reed.

Who opposes it? Primarily the state’s political parties and the League of Women Voters, who say the initiative could result in two Democrats or two Republicans facing each other in some General Election races. State Republican Chairman Chris Vance believes if voters endorse the top-two primary, his party could legally ignore the primary results and hold nominating conventions to choose the Republican candidates for the general-election ballot.

Both sides expect that if I-872 passes, the issue will eventually wind up in court.

More information:

• To read the initiative: www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/signatures.aspx

• Supporters: www.blanketprimary.org

• Opponents: www.no872.org