Democrats and Republicans Unite to Preserve Crucial PCO Elections

Today, the Washington State Democratic and Republican Parties jointly filed suit in the Thurston County Superior Court to ensure that the state fulfills its legal obligation to facilitate the elections of Precinct Committee Officers [PCOs].

For over 100 years, Washington law has required the state to conduct PCO elections every two years. But in October, Secretary of State Sam Reed proposed rules to abolish the elections of PCOs. Despite the objections to these proposed rules by both political parties and innumerable grassroots party members, Reed adopted the proposed rules on December 6. Secretary Reed exceeded his authority by adopting rules that purport to abolish the state's obligation to conduct these important grassroots elections.

“Washington’s Legislature passed PCO laws in 1907 to prevent the political corruption exhibited by Party bosses like Boss Tweed of Tammany Hall,” Dwight Pelz, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party and Kirby Wilbur, chair of the Washington State Republican Party, said jointly. “Elected by voters in their own precincts, PCOs play a vital role in governing and organizing the affairs of Washington’s major political parties. To lose PCOs would be a loss for transparency, accountability, and good government.”

Earlier this year, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington ruled that due to Washington's recently adopted top-two primary system, the current method by which the state holds PCO elections is unconstitutional. However, the court did not strike down the innumerable statutes that require the state to conduct these elections. In fact, the court suggested several alternative methods for the state to meet its statutory obligation.

Since the laws requiring the election of PCOs remain on the books, the state is obligated to identify a constitutional method for conducting these elections. Both of Washington's major political parties have offered to work with the Secretary of State to solve that problem, but he has refused to engage in a constructive dialogue. Regardless of his position, the secretary simply does not have the authority to ignore state law by unilaterally eliminating PCO elections.

“Given the vital functions that PCOs play in our system of government, we strongly urge Secretary Reed to work with the legislature to find a constitution

12/22/11