Electoral reform in Washington
Encyclopedia
Electoral reform in Washington refers to efforts to change the voting laws
in the U.S. State of Washington. In 2006, Pierce County
's electorate adopted Amendment 3, voting to switch to instant-runoff voting
, a voting system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. Part of the impetus for this measure was dissatisfaction with the "pick-a-party primary
" system. Washington requires 1,000 petition signatures for printed ballot access. Voting rights of felons are restored upon completion of sentence, including prison, parole, and probation. Bills to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
and award Washington's 11 electoral votes to the winner of the nationwide popular vote winner were introduced in both houses of the Washington State Legislature
in 2007, but they died. The Bill was re-introduced in 2009, passed, and was signed into law.
In 2005, Toby Nixon
, a Republican
member of the Washington State House of Representatives, started a campaign to implement the Schulze method
for the election of the governor of Washington. However, this campaign ended abruptly when Toby Nixon
wasn't re-elected in 2006.
Electoral reform
Electoral reform is change in electoral systems to improve how public desires are expressed in election results. That can include reforms of:...
in the U.S. State of Washington. In 2006, Pierce County
Pierce County, Washington
right|thumb|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] - Seat of Pierce CountyPierce County is the second most populous county in the U.S. state of Washington. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory...
's electorate adopted Amendment 3, voting to switch to instant-runoff voting
Instant-runoff voting
Instant-runoff voting , also known as preferential voting, the alternative vote and ranked choice voting, is a voting system used to elect one winner. Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and their ballots are counted as one vote for their first choice candidate. If a candidate secures a...
, a voting system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. Part of the impetus for this measure was dissatisfaction with the "pick-a-party primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
" system. Washington requires 1,000 petition signatures for printed ballot access. Voting rights of felons are restored upon completion of sentence, including prison, parole, and probation. Bills to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among U.S. states designed to replace current state rules governing the electoral college system of presidential elections with rules guaranteeing election of the national popular vote winner...
and award Washington's 11 electoral votes to the winner of the nationwide popular vote winner were introduced in both houses of the Washington State Legislature
Washington State Legislature
The Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is a bipartisan, bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives, composed of 98 Representatives, and the upper Washington State Senate, with 49 Senators.The State Legislature...
in 2007, but they died. The Bill was re-introduced in 2009, passed, and was signed into law.
In 2005, Toby Nixon
Toby Nixon
Toby Nixon is an American politician from Washington state and a former Republican member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 45th Legislative District.He was appointed to a vacant House seat in 2002, and was elected as an incumbent in 2004...
, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Washington State House of Representatives, started a campaign to implement the Schulze method
Schulze method
The Schulze method is a voting system developed in 1997 by Markus Schulze that selects a single winner using votes that express preferences. The method can also be used to create a sorted list of winners...
for the election of the governor of Washington. However, this campaign ended abruptly when Toby Nixon
Toby Nixon
Toby Nixon is an American politician from Washington state and a former Republican member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 45th Legislative District.He was appointed to a vacant House seat in 2002, and was elected as an incumbent in 2004...
wasn't re-elected in 2006.