Political parties didn't like having non-members involved in choosing candidates. They fought against laws that allowed everyone to vote in primaries, citing their right to association. But when they won, voters in Washington State changed the rules to limit party influence. This backfired on the parties, leading to a system where the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party. The conflict arose from a mix of legal battles, historical decisions, and public opinion, showing that long-term legal strategies can sometimes fail to achieve their goals.