LPWA News Room
October 3, 2007
For Immediate Release Oct 1, 2007
Libertarian Party Eyes Victory in Supreme Court
Working in conjunction with the state Republicans and Democrats, Libertarian Party confident in Supreme Court win in Washington primary case
Washington D.C. – The Libertarian Party is confident that it scored a resounding victory on the first day of the Supreme Court’s new session. Working in conjunction with the Washington Republican and Democratic parties, the Washington state Libertarian Party is fighting Washington’s “top-two forward” primary system that inherently weakens state political parties and makes it virtually impossible for third party candidates to get on the ballot. “From everything we’ve heard here at headquarters, we anticipate a very favorable outcome for us in this case,” says Libertarian Party National Chairman, William Redpath.
“We’re hearing from inside the courtroom that the Libertarian Party had a very good day in court,” Redpath continued. “We’re confident the ruling will be in our favor. The implications of this case are paramount to the future of the Libertarian Party as a whole. Washington’s primary system dramatically limits the ability of a third party candidate to appear on the state’s ballot. If the Supreme Court upholds the lower court’s ruling, it will ensure elections in the state of Washington, as well as the nation, are more democratic and fair for all participants.”
The current “wide-open” primary system in Washington allows voters to select any candidate for office. The top two vote getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to fill the two spots for that office on the ballot. The state’s political parties argue that because of this system, the two candidates for governor could potentially be from the same political party. Libertarians, as well as Republicans and Democrats, claim this system weakens political parties because the government does not allow them to nominate their own candidates. Additionally, this system almost ensures a third party candidate will never make it on the ballot.
Lifetime Libertarian Party member and one of the nation’s top ballot access experts, Richard Winger, agrees with the three political parties. “It’s a must win case,” says Winger, who was present in the courtroom during the oral arguments. “Without a victory, the system would spread to other states.”
Winger says Washington’s blanket-primary system was struck down in 2000 after a Supreme Court case from California challenged the blanket primary system’s legality. Washington then developed the top-two forward primary system based on the majority opinion written by Justice Antonin Scalia in that case. However, Winger says Scalia was not responding well to the state’s arguments for keeping their primary system and predicted Scalia would side with the political parties.
“The case went really well,” says Winger. “I’m absolutely convinced the parties will win.”
“The American government has historically had more interference with political parties than any other free nation in the world,” Winger continued. “In the past few of years, political parties have been fighting back. The Libertarian Party has allied three times with the two other major parties in Supreme Court cases involving party rights. The Libertarian Party has been a pioneer in bringing back freedom for political parties to run their affairs the way they want.”
The Libertarian Party worked with Republicans and Democrats for Supreme Court victories in 1999 and 2000. Today’s case marks the third time the three parties have come together since 1999.
As an example of how a primary system like Washington’s would undermine the efforts of third parties, Winger highlights the gubernatorial win by Jesse Ventura in 1998. “Jesse Ventura had less than three percent of the votes in the 1998 Minnesota primary,” says Winger. “But he went on to win governor for the Reform Party.” Winger then noted Ventura would have been prevented from being on the ballot had Minnesota adopted the same system as Washington.
“Today was a good day for all political parties across the nation,” Redpath concluded, “as it was for the American people, who want free and equal elections for all parties. We hope the Supreme Court will stand in our favor and strike this misguided primary system from existence.”
Today’s case was Washington State Grange v. Washington State Republican Party.
The Libertarian Party is America’s third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.lp.org. The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.
April 3, 2006
BELLEVUE – The Libertarian Party of Washington State (LPWA) is holding its 2006 convention this Saturday and Sunday, April 8-9, in Bremerton. Unlike most partisan political events, which focus on internal business and membership issues, this weekend was planned with the public in mind.
“Our theme this year is ‘Building Tomorrow Together’,” explains LPWA Executive Director Travis Wright, “because we want to stress the importance of cooperation in achieving political change.” He adds, “We’re building a party in the sensible center to give every American more personal and economic freedom – and we’re working with like-minded people and organizations to make that happen.”
The convention will feature a broad list of speakers, including Washington Supreme Court Justices Richard Sanders and Tom Chambers who will address concerns about property rights in this state. Keynote speakers include former Libertarian Party presidential candidate David Bergland, Evergreen Freedom Foundation President Bob Williams, and television game show host David Ruprecht.
The line-up also includes policy experts from the Reason Foundation, Pacific Research Institute, Cascade Policy Institute, Washington Farm Bureau, American Association of Patients and Providers, and the CATO Institute. Presentations will cover such topics as education, environment, health care, transportation, and property rights.
“This is going to be a great event,” states LPWA Chair Ruth Bennett, “and I strongly encourage everyone to come spend a day with us.” She continues, “We have an impressive group of speakers and I think people will really enjoy the refreshing changes in our party, especially those who are tired of politics as usual.”
The convention is open to the public with single-day floor passes starting at $20. The basic floor pass allows access to all regular speakers. Passes for keynote events and meals can be purchased separately or in packages. The business session on Sunday afternoon is free to all LPWA members.
More information about the convention, including the schedule and registration, is available at www.LPWA.org/convention2006.
October 6, 2005
BELLEVUE — The Libertarian Party of Washington State (LPWS) has selected Bremerton as the site of its 2006 convention. Convention organizer Penelope Wright explains, “we wanted to hold our convention in a beautiful area of the state in an exceptional facility that was easily accessible. The Kitsap Conference Center meets our needs perfectly.”
According to Wright, past state conventions have focused on membership issues and internal business. This time, however, the party is planning something much broader.
“The theme of our 2006 convention is ‘Building Tomorrow Together’,” states Wright, “We’re emphasizing the importance of cooperation in advancing the cause of freedom.” She further remarks, “We’re not just going to market our convention to current members, but to like-minded people who may not have gotten involved in politics before.”
The convention will feature speakers from nationally recognized public policy organizations such as the Cato Institute and the Reason Foundation. Presentations will focus on five subject areas: education, the environment, healthcare, property rights, and transportation. Issues that, according to Wright, “are concerns of every resident in our state, not just Libertarians.”
“Libertarians are building a party in the sensible center to put freedom of choice and responsibility back into your hands,” said Libertarian Party State Chair, Ruth Bennett. “We are most effective in districts like much of Kitsap County that elect both Democratic and Republican legislators. That’s where Libertarian candidates affect the outcome of close elections and can change the balance of power in Olympia. What a perfect place for the 2006 Convention!”
The convention will be held April 8-9, 2006 at the Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton. Details about speakers and registration will soon be available on the party’s website.
June 13, 2005
BELLEVUE — On Saturday, the Libertarian Party of Washington State (LPWS) endorsed I-912, the measure to repeal the 9.5 cent gas tax increase. LPWS member Cary Thomas requested the endorsement at the regularly scheduled meeting of the party’s State Executive Committee. After some discussion, the committee unanimously passed a resolution endorsing I-912. The ballot measure is sponsored by the non-partisan group NoNewGasTax.com.
“As Libertarians, we generally favor user fees instead of taxes to fund public projects,” said LPWS Vice-Chair Brett Wilhelm. “Gas taxes are very similar to user fees as long as the proceeds are used to build and maintain roads. But, the last gas tax increase should be repealed because it diverts funds to politicians’ pet projects instead of improving roads.”
Several issues regarding the tax hike were raised by those in attendance. First, according to NoNewGasTax.com, the Attorney General’s office has said that revenue from the gas tax increase is not absolutely committed to any particular project. Without such guarantees, LPWS members are concerned that the money will not be used wisely.
Second, it was pointed out that the money raised by the tax doesn’t come close to funding the myriad of projects included in the package. “Basically, this bill got passed because the legislators were each promised a little piece for their district,” stated Penelope Wright, LPWS Representative for Congressional District 7, “but no one is getting enough to actually complete the major projects that need attention.”
Finally, many felt that by attaching an “emergency clause” to this bill, the legislature demonstrated particular disdain for the voters. “Clearly,” said one LPWS member, “they knew the tax hike would be unpopular, so they attached the [emergency] clause to avoid a citizen referendum.”
“By endorsing I-912,” explained LPWS Chair, Ruth Bennett, “we are encouraging everyone to support to the initiative.” Bennett, the 2004 Libertarian Party gubernatorial candidate, was elected LPWS Chair at the party’s annual convention in April.
Bennett added, “Since the election in November we’ve had a lot of people coming forward who want to get involved with the Libertarian Party. Supporting the No New Gas Tax initiative is a great place to direct that energy.”
The Libertarian Party of Washington State can be found online at www.lpws.org and can be reached at (425) 641-8247.
