Editor,

The write-in campaign for Island County Commissioner District 1 brings up some interesting aspects of our electoral system.

When we speak of ideas such as equity, equality, fairness and disenfranchisement, we are usually discussing topics candidates will address once elected. Rarely do we discuss these concepts in terms of who we elect or how we do so.

Strom Thurmond was the first write-in candidate elected to Congress. He went on to serve more than 47 years in office. So it is possible to win as a write-in candidate and the write-in process is critical to ensuring a fair and equitable election process.

If you have followed me for any time or followed either of my campaigns, you know I am a big supporter of ranked choice voting or RCV. Until we switch to RCV, we have to make sure all voices are equally represented.

Which makes the current election in Island County the very reason we need write-in as an option. Unlike city council and mayoral seats that are non-partisan, Island County commissioner is a partisan position.

Which begs the question, why do we only run one primary for these seats? The reason is voters passed Initiative 872 in 2004. The law was challenged but went in to effect in 2008. I-872 established the top 2 primary system. In this system, a candidate is only representing themselves and not a party, even when running for a partisan seat.

Currently, only five states use the Top 2 system or a variation of it. One flaw of the system is that it can disenfranchise entire blocks of voters.

Look at District 1. Both candidates are Democrats. While legally they are listed as “Prefers Democratic Party,” they are Democrats. They are running as Democrats and they are running Democratic platforms, supporting the larger national Democratic Party’s positions.

How can Republicans, Libertarians, Independents and other minor party members feel represented in this race? They may choose to vote for a candidate they don’t really support or even worse, not vote at all.

This is why we need the write-in process. This is why we need active and robust civic engagement. We are weeks away from the election. No matter who you support, what’s important is that you vote.

Andy Plumlee

Oak Harbor