I like my primaries like I like my ...

This is one of those possibly irrational, anti-establishment viewpoints that betrays my Northwest-native libertarian strain, much like my lone defense of the initiative process in my public policy class....

I was a fan of the blanket primary, before the 9th Circuit struck it down. For the past four years, I've hated choosing a party on my primary ballot, even though I've given money every year to the state Dems. (See old rant.)

And now...

Supreme Court rules in favor of Washington primary
(Seattle Post-Intelligencer via the AP)

"The Supreme Court has upheld the state of Washington's open primary election system.

By a 7-2 vote, the court says the state may use a primary system that allows the top two vote-getters to advance to the general election, even if they are from the same party...."

It's not the blanket primary, it's the "Top 2" replacement that the voters chose after the cherished blanket primary was eliminated on appeal.

Obviously, the political parties hate the decision. The Democrats and Republicans actually argued together before the Supreme Court, against the state. Usually when the parties agree on an issue, I usually overwhelmingly agree with them or wildly diverge from the joint position.

The decision was 7-2. Opinion available for download here.

The majority: Thomas, Ginsburg, Breyer, Souter, and Stevens
Concurring: Roberts and Alito
Dissenting: Scalia and Kennedy

I'm totally, totally excited! This made my day. It quite possibly even makes going to Econ tonight bearable...