WSDCC Statement on Court Challenge to Republican Dino Rossi's Ballot Title

WSDCC Statement on Court Challenge to Republican Dino Rossi's Ballot Title

SEATTLE - In response to this morning's court ruling, Washington State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz issued the following statement:

"In a narrow ruling, the court suggested our claim against Republican Dino Rossi's deceptive ballot scheme did not justify an emergency order to stop the printing of ballots. It's important to note that the judge acknowledged our substantive claim that Republican Dino Rossi's use of the confusing and redundant "GOP Party" moniker on the ballot -- contrary to every previous election in which he has participated as a 'Republican' -- could very well engender voter confusion and make a substantial difference in the result of the election. While we were not able to secure an emergency TRO, we are thankful for our day in court, and will not be appealing today's decision.

"Irrespective of today's ruling, the data demonstrates beyond a doubt that voters are confused by Rossi's scheme, as the meaning of "GOP" is not understood by a whopping 1 in 4 Washingtonians. Another recent data set suggests Rossi's attempts to confuse voters may be having its desired effect, as Gov. Gregoire enjoys a 10-point advantage over "Republican" Rossi but only a 4-point advantage over a "GOP Party" Rossi.  Private Democratic polling has resulted in similar findings.

"It is clear from the efforts of the Rossi campaign and the Washington State Republican Party that they see this confusing and deceptive ballot title as a strategic advantage, as evidenced by their presence in court today to protect their candidate from listing the word "Republican" next to his name. Indeed, the attorney representing Rossi and the WSRP in this case conceded as much in a brief filed recently. To quote Rossi's attorney:

"One of the results of the "top two" primary is that candidates may now select variations on traditional ballot identifications for the Republican Party. Official Republican Party nominee Dino Rossi filed under the GOP name, a long-standing alternate abbreviation indicating affiliation with the Republican Party. Surveys by pollster Stuart Elway in the early summer indicated significant degrees of confusion, however, over the meaning of "GOP" among voters. See http://blog:seattletlmes.nwsource.com/davidpostman/2008/06/301. Even 18% of Republicans in the survey did not know that GOP meant "Republican." See http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/1570/elway-poll-shows-grand-od-confusion. In the August primary for governor, two other candidates expressed a "preference" for the Republican Party even though they had not been nominated by the Party but received over 25,000 votes. See http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?ElectionID=25&RaceID=13&JurisdictionTypeID=2. The margin in the last gubernatorial election' was only 133 votes. The member mailing was intended, in part, to make certain that every Republican knew that Dino Rossi was the Republican nominee and the GOP meant Republican. Even if only a tiny fraction of Republicans were confused by I-872's change in nomenclature, that could have an impact on the election results.

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