The new Rasmussen poll of Washington state shows a tight re-election fight for Democratic Sen. Patty Murray.
The poll has Murray tied 47%-47% with Republican former state Sen. Dino Rossi, and 3% for “some other candidate.” She leads Republican former pro football player Clint Didier 48%-40%, with 6% for “some other candidate.” And she leads Republican businessman Paul Akers 48%-38%, with 4% for “some other candidate.” The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. The TPM Poll Average give Murray a lead over Rossi of 45.7%-42.5%.
To go nitpicking, “some other candidate” won’t be an option on the ballot in November, though voters could potentially register some form of protest-vote with a write-in. Washington state’s electoral system is different from the rest of the country, unlike the party primaries and general elections that we’re used to. And that system is spreading — so pollsters around the country better get used to it.
Washington state uses the “Top Two” electoral system. All candidates for partisan offices, other than President of the United States, will appear on the same primary ballot in August — Murray, Rossi, Didier, etc. — with the top two finishers, regardless of party, headed to the general election ballot in November.
In this instance, the top will presumably be Murray and one of the Republicans, but the system does allow for two Democrats or two Republicans. But the point here is that the November ballot in Washington will have only two names listed for U.S. Senate, plus a write-in slot (see this sample ballot from November 2008).
And what’s more, the Top Two system was just passed in California just two and a half weeks ago. The referendum was copied directly from Washington’s model, as it has already withstood a challenge at the Supreme Court. And since California has roughly 12% of the country’s entire population, a whole lot of people will be voting under this system. And who knows, other states might even pick it up, too. So pollsters and party strategists better get used to understanding the ins and outs of this system.
Rasmussen could not be reached for comment.
