Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi is trying to "obscure his true party preference" by listing himself on the November ballot as a member of the "G.O.P. Party," and Secretary of State Sam Reed will allow it unless enjoined, a voter says in King County Court. Jeff Smith says that listing Rossi as a member of a "nonexistent party" will foster "public confusion." Rossi is running against Gov. Christine Gregoire, who defeated him by 129 votes in 2004, after two recounts.

Smith, a Washington voter, says Rossi always has identified himself as a Republican, declared himself a candidate for the Republican Party, and was nominated by the Republicans.

"Allowing Rossi to obscure his true party preference and affiliation directly violates the law, would mislead a substantial portion of the voting public and would breed cynicism and mistrust in our public institutions and, indeed, in our electoral process," the complaint states.

"This lawsuit seeks an order declaring that such a 'party preference' is improper under Washington law and directing defendant Reed to prepare and to distribute an amended certified list of gubernatorial candidates that, in accordance with the law, accurately identifies Rossi's part preference as the Washington State Republican Party."

Smith is represented by Kevin Hamilton with Perkins Coie.

Secretary of State Reed is a Republican.