Washington Governor Gregoire, "Cancel the 2012 Presidential Primary Election"

December 16, 2010

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In her ongoing quest to slash costs to the state, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire is calling for the 2012 presidential primary election to be canceled. Delegates to national conventions would instead be selected via caucuses.

Secretary of State Sam Reed, a Republican said, “I join Governor Gregoire in reluctantly asking the Legislature to suspend the 2012 Presidential Primary in Washington. Ever since the Legislature approved the presidential primary in 1989 as a people’s initiative to the Legislature, the primary has been a very popular way to engage average citizens, not just party activists, in the process of helping nominate candidates for President of the United States. But at the same time, we acknowledge that Washington faces a grave budget shortfall and that many important public services must be suspended or eliminated. Suspending this election will save taxpayers more than $10 million. Ordinarily, I would be the last to propose suspending an election, but these are not ordinary times and we all are looking for ways to tighten our belts and live within our means. I look forward to Washington resuming the presidential primary in 2016.”

Washington State Republican Party Chair Luke Esser disagrees saying, “Eliminating the presidential primary directly contradicts the will of the people as expressed by Initiative 99 in 1989, and it disenfranchises military voters serving overseas and many other voters.”

In 2008, State Democrats bypassed the primary election, choosing their delegates and nominating Barack Obama during their caucus. Caucuses are open to any interested, but are mostly attended by those most connected to their individual parties.

Read more at Seattle PI

See Secretary Reed’s full statement at Tri-City Herald

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