The Original Indie Rocker

Before there was Perot, before there was Nader, there was Illinois Congressman John B. Anderson, a former Rockefeller Republican whose independent Presidential candidacy in 1980 sapped a healthy number of votes (6 million total, or 7% of the final tally) away from Carter and Reagan. On October 5, Anderson will be in downtown Seattle to discuss Pierce County's Charter Amendment 3, which would replace their existing party primary with Instant Runoff Voting, a tricky and arguably more egalitarian system -- backed by former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, among others -- that requires voters to rank candidates versus just picking one. The event, sponsored by the Washington Voters Association, will be held at the political consultancy Mercury (1931 Second Avenue, Suite 301) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP by calling 253-228-1991 or e-mailing info@yesonthree.com.