Today's Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports on Aaron Dixon, the former Black Panther and current Green Party candidate who is now challenging Republican Mike McGavick for the United States Senate seat currently held by Maria Cantwell: "Green Party Senate hopeful not a voter". (Accordingly to King County records, Dixon has never voted since registering in the county in 1998). This is the sort of headline that should qualify for a mention in Best of the Web's "Bottom Story of the Day" series. I mean, who really cares about the Green Party candidate unless they're Democrat activists (or print journalists) who are scared whitless that a few nutty leftists who might have voted for the Democrat will vote for the Green instead (assuming they even vote, which, if they're anything like Dixon, is unlikely).

There are a few interesting aspects of this story, which I'll get to in the extended entry. But first, I'll share what Richard Pope dug up about Dixon. Pope e-mailed this court record, explaining --

Dixon currently owes $1,408.00 in unpaid traffic fines (not including interest and collection costs) from three tickets he received in King County District Court in 2004 and 2005. He may owe more from Seattle Municipal Court, but I can't access their records on-line. Dixon has been charged with criminal offenses at least 18 times during the last 17 years. All but one of these criminal charges was related to criminal traffic offenses. Dixon claims on his website that he "recently married" Farah Nousheen. However, Dixon is still married to the former Verlenia Murphy. He filed for dissolution of their marriage in King County Superior Court No. 05-3-08358-5 SEA on December 6, 2005. He was hoping that his wife would not contest the divorce, and wanted to have it finalized on March 23, 2006. But his wife hired an attorney and appears to be fighting this.

Some interesting aspects of today's P-I story about Dixon's (non)voting record--

1) The story was broken by a local left-wing blogger who is known primarily for his impressive skills at writing fiction. A round of applause to David Goldstein for posting actual facts on his blog for a change.

2) Goldstein acknowledged that he did his research by using Sound Politics' online version of the Washington state voter database. (You're welcome, David and you and any Cantwell supporters should feel free to make a donation in our tip jar in appreciation for providing what you believe was a valuable service to help your candidate).

3) The article quotes Deanron's spokeswoman "Baghdad" Bobbie Egan:

Dixon's voter registration has been on inactive status since Jan. 22, 2005, after voter material sent to him was returned as undeliverable, elections office spokeswoman Bobbie Egan said.

4) Speaking of non-voters, the P-I has still not corrected its story from last November 5th, which quoted Demene Hall claiming

she is "too African American" not to be a regular voter,