Facts of the Case

Socialist workers party seek attorney's fees for challenging a Washington statute which was amended, mooting their action, before the case was heard. They confirm the district court's denial of their motion for fees.

I think the main issue in this case is whether the burden imposed on the minor parties' First Amendment rights are too severe to be justified by the State's interest in restricting access. The fact is that, prior to the 1977 amendments, virtually every minor-party candidate who sought a general election ballot position qualified, while after the amendments were passed, only one minor-party candidate has managed to make it onto the ballot.

Four Washington minor political parties1 (the minor parties) (Socialist workers party) challenged the constitutionality of a Washington statute2 which effectively prohibited members of minor political parties from voting in state primary elections.