Opinion ID: 1405270
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Right to a Free and Equal Vote

Text: Mr. Brower contends that the ability of the team affiliate to decide whether to reimburse the costs of the special election constitutes a vote which carries more weight than his and those of other voters in the state, and thus violates his right to a free and equal vote under art. I, § 19 of the Washington State Constitution. Article I, section 19 provides that [a]ll Elections shall be free and equal, and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage. The right to vote is fundamental, and art. I, § 19 provides greater protection for a free and equal vote than does the federal constitution's one person-one vote equal protection right. Foster v. Sunnyside Valley Irrig. Dist., 102 Wash.2d 395, 687 P.2d 841 (1984). Article I, section 19 requires that otherwise qualified voters who are significantly affected by the results of an election be given an opportunity to vote in that election. City of Seattle v. State, 103 Wash.2d 663, 673, 694 P.2d 641 (1985). Article I, section 19 is not implicated in this case. The only election involved is the election on Referendum 48. Mr. Brower's right to vote in that election was not impeded in any way. Moreover, the team affiliate did not have a vote at all. The reimbursement provision did not grant a voting right, but conditioned the effectiveness of the legislation. There was no violation of Mr. Brower's right to a free and equal vote.