SB6453 passed the House late this evening by a vote of 51 to 46. Now - if Gov. Locke will just sign it. More when we have more facts. The morning papers should cover it decently.

Kelli Linville sent an email stating she supported the Montana-style primary. None of the other five reps sent a reply. Kelli provided information on the late-evening voting - apparently emailing from the floor. The official legislative website is malfunctioning this eve and does not give the roll call votes. Maybe in the morn.

9:00 am
HB3212 is illegal by the very rules of the state legislature. No bill introduced after February 17 is allowed to proceed through hearings and votes. Yet the two political parties have been allowed to write and have introduced a deceptive primary election bill just last Friday. It is being given a hearing in Olympia this morning - in open violation of the rules.

Gentle reader and fellow citizen - this is nothing dramatic. Our government agencies violate the law all the time. It is usually not caught and reported. Any state representative who does not stand up and speak out against this is the same as an accomplice to the act. All one need do is attend sessions, hearings, committee meetings and such to learn that process is at the whim of the elected.

Time and again citizens who finally attended some meeting with the intention of seeing first hand themselves how wrong I was have instead told me in amazement after the meeting that I am right.

When they ignore the law and are caught they always say they "suspended the rules" - which they are doing this time to stop democratic primary elections. Shame on Sam Hunt and his abuse of power on the committee. Laws? Those are for us unwashed. You can expect more introductions even this week - three days before the legislature adjourns as they try and overturn the "Top 2" primary election bill - which was introduced on January 21.

Call your legislator & insist they support SB6453 election bill.

Early morn
Will we have a 'Top 2' vote by the WA Legislative House? Maybe not. The Democratic Party-controlled Government Affairs Committee is playing games - apparently trying to dump the 'Top 2' primary bill. It was supposed to come for a House vote today, but that is now out.

Two top Democratic Party members of the Government Affairs Committee - Rep. Sam Hunt of Olympia and Joe McDermott of Vashon Island were allowed to introduce a new political party-backed primary election bill late Thursday. It is HB3212. Strange, but this is long after the deadline for new bills, by House rules. I'm sure the Democratic leaders of the House found a loophole. Rep. Hunt is Assistant Majority Floor Leader. HB3212 favors the political parties and not citizens.

You might contact the chair of the government committee - Rep. Haigh at 360-786-7966 or email her assistant Kim at moores_ki@leg.wa.gov - and express your support for SB6453. Or you might phone your reps and tell them to support democracy.

Whatcom County Auditor, Shirley Forslof, favors the 'Top 2' primary election process. It is less confusing for voters and election staff.