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It’s pretty simple. In fact, anyone who regularly follows “American Idol” or “Last Comic Standing” pretty much can figure it out.
Those who get the most votes move on. Those who don’t – don’t.
But while there are plenty of folks out there who assume that’s the way elections have always worked in Washington state, they may get a surprise after Tuesday.
Only two candidates will move on to the general election after the primary Aug. 19 – the ones who get the most votes. And the possibility of them both belonging to the same political party – very likely Republican in the conservative Spokane Valley – is quite real.
Everyone registered to vote in Spokane Valley should have already received his or her ballot, which needs to be postmarked by next Tuesday. Those who haven’t voted yet may be surprised by the crowd of candidates – and confused by their party preferences – in the federal, state and local races.
Unlike the primary elections where voters had to state a party preference, under the top-two primary system each candidate states a political party he or she prefers, or list no party preference at all. While it seems straightforward, the candidates do not necessarily have to be endorsed by the political parties they prefer.
It also means that two candidates from the same party may move on to the general election – a change from years past.
For example, challenging 5th District congressional Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who prefers the Republican Party, are Kurt Erickson (who also prefers the Republican Party). Both could, conceivably, find themselves on the ballot Nov. 4 while challengers Randall Yearout (Constitution Party) of Otis Orchards, Barbara Lampert and Mark Mays (Democratic Party) and John Beck (Libertarian) are sidelined.
At the state level, there are no less than nine challengers facing Gov. Christine Gregoire, a Democrat who is seeking a second term. Most notable is Dino Rossi, the Republican west side state senator who narrowly lost to Gregoire in 2004. But also on the ticket are Will Baker (Reform Party), Duff Badgley (Green Party), James White (Independent), John Aiken (Republican), Christian Joubert (Democratic), and Christopher Tudor and Mohammad Said (no party preference).
Lt. Gov. Brad Owen (Democratic Party) has challenges from fellow Democrat Randel Bell, Jim Wiest (“prefers GOP Party”), Spokane Valley resident Arlene Peck and Republican Marcia McGraw.
There are also multiple candidates in the races for secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, superintendent of public instruction and insurance commissioner.
The ballot is also crowded in the 4th District State Representative Position 2 election, as five candidates look to replace retiring Rep. Lynn Schindler. Most visible have been Mead resident Matt Shea and former Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite, both avowed Republicans. Also running is Republican Ray Deonier. On the Democratic side are Tim Hattenburg and Anthony Honorof.
In the other 4th District races, the primary won’t matter much as there are only two candidates running in each – so they will automatically advance to the general election. Linda Thompson (Democrat) is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Larry Crouse, and Judi Owens looks to unseat longtime Sen. Bob. McCaslin.
The two-person races for county commissioner in District 1 (Democrat Kim Thorburn vs. incumbent Republican Todd Mielke) and Spokane Valley’s District 2 (Democrat Brian Sayrs vs. incumbent Republican Mark Richard) are also on the primary ballot.
Since there are only two persons in each race, those elections will automatically head to the countywide general election ballot. But the primary will give the candidates a snapshot of voters a full two-and-a-half months early.
Ballots may be dropped off at any local library:
- Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main
- Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne
- Liberty Lake Library, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane
- Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley
For more information, call the county elections office at 477-2320.
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By
Mike Huffman
