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Tuesday, August 8, 2006
More candidate information on ballot
OLYMPIA -- The Secretary of State's Office is trying to head off any confusion at the polls in the Supreme Court race and announced Monday that the ballot will carry additional descriptions of two candidates who share the same last name.
Up until right before the filing deadline, Justice Susan Owens, a one-term incumbent, had been facing only state Sen. Stephen Johnson, R-Kent.
Then Seattle attorney Michael Johnson signed up, along with newcomer Richard Smith, also of Seattle.
The high court already has two Johnsons, Charles and James.
Secretary of State Sam Reed's office sent letters to the Johnsons, informing them that the office would follow the same procedure as in 1996, when 14 candidates ran for lieutenant governor.
The candidates' occupations will be listed after their name on the ballot: Michael Johnson, attorney, and Stephen Johnson, attorney/state senator.
The primary is Sept. 19; the general election is Nov. 7.
Opponents of Owens have said the Smith-and-Johnson filings appear to be designed to purposely confuse voters and get Owens through the primary. Michael Johnson and Smith did not return phone calls seeking comment Monday.
Norman Ericson of Olympia also filed for the seat.
Owens has said she has no control over who files to run.
The state Democratic Party said Reed's decision creates "a significant and unfair advantage" for the two Johnsons.
"The three candidates without 'descriptors' could be perceived less qualified because they lack the word "attorney" after their names, even though every candidate in this race is an active member of the State Bar," Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz said in a statement.
Pelz said that it's only fair that Owens should be described as "attorney/supreme court justice" and that the other candidates are described as well.
Also up for re-election to the high court are Justice Tom Chambers, who is being challenged by Jeanette Burrage, a conservative former lawmaker and judge.
Chief Justice Gerry Alexander is being challenged by property rights lawyer John Groen.
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