Governing the Evergreen State: Political Life in Washington

Washington State is a place of political mavericks. Split tickets are a source of pride and independent voters outnumber Democrats and Republicans. Washington was first to have a voter-approved state Equal Rights Amendment, first to elect a woman as governor, and first to elect a Chinese-American to the position. Today, Washington’s open primary election system and voter registration process demonstrate it has not drifted far from its populist roots.

Governing the Evergreen State provides an absorbing look at an ever-evolving state political and judicial system and presents intriguing case studies. With chapters on interest groups, the constitution, the environment, media coverage, the court system, the legislature, political parties, changing demographics, and more, this volume updates the popular Governing Washington. Fresh discussions and analysis written by academics from universities across the state, a senator, a pollster, a newspaper reporter/blogger, a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court, and a court administrator offer a springboard for further examination and discussion.

Cornell W. Clayton is the director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, where he also serves as the Thomas S. Foley Distinguished Professor of Government. He has published widely in the areas of American politics, judicial politics, and constitutional law.

Todd Donovan is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Western Washington University in Bellingham. His research areas include public opinion, electoral rules, representation, and direct democracy, and he has worked as an expert witness on election matters in state and federal courts.

Nicholas P. Lovrich is Regents Professor Emeritus and a Claudius O. and Mary W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Washington State University. He served as the director of the Division of Governmental Studies and Services for more than three decades.

Sam Reed served as Washington’s Secretary of State from 2001 to 2013, and prior to that he served as Thurston County Auditor for five terms. In 2006-2007 he served as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State. His legacy is one of active championing of civility, moderation, and bipartisanship in government.

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