What is a “jungle primary” election?

A “jungle primary” election is an election system used in the state of Washington for some offices. In this system, all candidates for a particular office run in the primary election, regardless of their political party. The two candidates that receive the highest number of votes move on to the general election. This is different from the traditional primary election system, where each political party has their own primary election in order to determine which of their candidates will run in the general election. The purpose of the jungle primary system is to allow voters to have a greater say in choosing their elected officials. This system makes it easier for independent or third-party candidates to enter the race and increases the chances of general election voters to choose between two candidates who typically have different political views. By including all candidates in the primary, the jungle primary system gives greater power to the voting public to decide who will actually move on in the race. This system has been criticized by some, who argue that it can lead to general election candidates who are extreme in their political views and do not accurately reflect the views of the majority of voters. Nevertheless, the jungle primary system is a popular election system in Washington and is used for many offices.

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What is a “jungle primary” election?

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