Why does Washington State do this? I thought that primaries were a product of the progressive movement, aiming to take power to nominate from the party machines and give it to voters. It's an obligation for parties to choose their candidates like this, and in exchange the State organizes the primary election for the parties. So what is the logic in taking away any party control of who appears on a ballot?

Help!

It is my understanding that Washington does this to prevent people from voting the opposite party simply to get a loser on the ballot that could never win.

I personally don't know too many Washingtonians who like the measure - most would prefer to go back to a caucus system and let the parties decide their own fates.

When the ballot was being sold to the people of Washington State, it was sold on the idea that voters would not be forced to identify themselves as Republican or Democrat. It was an anti-political party initiative. At the time, most anything against the Political parties was received well by the public.

I was a resident of Washington State at the time, but I can't remember how I voted.