Welcome to Skagit County

June 10th, 2008

Top 2 Primary makes debut in Washington State & Skagit County

SKAGIT COUNTY – Filing for state and local offices came to a close Friday, June 6, 2008. Now Skagit County candidates and voters can begin preparing for the first ever “Top 2 Primary.” In its first year, the new system advances the top-two vote getters to the General Election, regardless of party affiliation.

Instead of the Primary Election being an election where each party chooses its nominee, the Primary Election is now simply a means of qualifying candidates to appear on the General Election ballot. The two candidates that receive the greatest number of votes will qualify. “Because of this change, voters will not have to select a party ballot, and will be free to vote for whomever they choose, regardless of party affiliation,” said Skagit County Auditor Jeanne Youngquist.

Another change voters will see on the General Election ballot is that independent and minor party candidates will appear on the Primary ballot but will only appear on the General ballot if they qualify as one of the two top vote getters, said Youngquist. “Also, since we are not nominating one candidate from each party in advance, it’s possible that voters may see two candidates with the same party preference on the General Election ballot.”

Candidates are allowed to list their party preference on the ballot, to let voters know which party they prefer. The indication does not indicate that the party selected, nominated, endorsed, or otherwise agrees with the candidate. “Parties may hold nominating conventions and select their designated candidate, but that designation will not appear on the ballot,” said Youngquist.

In the 2006 primary voters may recall receiving three ballots in the mail. In 2007 they received one but were instructed to check a party preference and vote along party lines. Voters will get one ballot listing all of the candidates. Voters may select any candidate for each race, regardless of party affiliation.

How did we end up with this system?

The voters of the State of Washington passed Initiative 872 in 2004, which created the Top 2 Primary. A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of I-872 stopped the state from using this system. In March, 2008, the United States Supreme Court ruled the state may conduct a Top 2 Primary as passed by voters.

For additional information, contact:

David Cunningham
Skagit County Elections
360-336-9305