Parties continue to challenge state's 'top-two' primary
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A federal judge in Seattle has refused to dismiss a legal challenge to Washington's top-two primary system.
Secretary of State Sam Reed had asked the court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties.
Even though the state's top-two primary was upheld last year by the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge John Coughenour (COON'-our) ruled Thursday the parties can continue to challenge how the primary is conducted.
The secretary of state's office says the ruling means a new round of litigation that could change how candidates are listed on the ballot or in the voters' pamphlet.
State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz said the ruling means the state will have to amend the current law.
Secretary of State Sam Reed had asked the court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties.
Even though the state's top-two primary was upheld last year by the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge John Coughenour (COON'-our) ruled Thursday the parties can continue to challenge how the primary is conducted.
The secretary of state's office says the ruling means a new round of litigation that could change how candidates are listed on the ballot or in the voters' pamphlet.
State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz said the ruling means the state will have to amend the current law.
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