The One Ballot campaign proposes something very similar to Washington's new top-two primary, which voters embraced in 2004 but were denied when the state's political parties sue. The U.S. Supreme Court recently sided with voters.

The proposed Oregon primary would allow the top two vote-getters to advance to the general election, regardless of party. And primary voters get only one ballot with all candidates' names.

Former governors, Democrat John Kitzhaber and Republican Vic Atiyeh, also are supporters of the proposed nonpartisan primary.

Regardless, it's hard to figure out how well this will go over in Oregon, which has a much stronger tradition of partisan voting than Washington. Under Oregon's current closed primary, voters must register by party and only registered voters can participate. Check out this blog comment from George Rede of the Oregonian.

Keisling has been on this case for a while. I interviewed him in 2004 just before Washington voters handily embraced Washington's top-two primary ballot initiative. This man, who has been a Democrat all his political life, had had it. Here's what he told me:

To win the primary, Keisling notes, "You have Republicans who have to sing in the Hallelujah chorus of the pro-life, pro-gun, anti-gay, anti-government interests. And you have the Democrats who have to sing in the Hallelujah chorus of the AFL-CIO and whatever the public employees unions want.

" ... The current system makes cowards of so many people."

Amen to that.

The top-two approach puts parties in their places -- as just more special interest groups -- and gives the state-run primary system to the people.

I'll admit it feels a little strange as the Times editorial board begins endorsement interviews. I keep having to remind myself that we are evaluating candidates to determine the best of the field, not the best of either party.

It will probably be strange for voters too. But the expected results -- more moderate candidates -- will be elected.