RCW 29.42.020 establishes state committees as integral parts of the party organization. King County Republican Cent. Comm. v. Republican State Comm., 79 Wn.2d 202, 211, 484 P.2d 387 (1971). It also enumerates certain powers of the state committee and provides for a meeting in January of each odd-numbered year.
The reasons why we adopted this rule, which is not a new one, are set forth in Porter v. Chicago, M., St. P. P.R.R., 41 Wn.2d 836, 252 P.2d 306 (1953), and need not be repeated here. In their reply brief, the appellants urge that the Popovich case is not controlling and that King County Republican Cent. Comm. v. Republican State Comm., 79 Wn.2d 202, 207-08, 484 P.2d 387 (1971), governs the disposition of the question presented in this case. There this court reviewed a summary judgment proceeding, even though the record considered by the trial court was belatedly certified.
Charter, Art. V (F)(5), App. 15.King County Republican Central Committee v. Republican State Committee, 79 Wn.2d 202, 211-212, 484 P.2d 387, 392 (1971). See also 90 Wn.2d 298, 313, 582 P.2d 487, 496 (1978) (case below).
No compelling circumstances justified dismissal of the instant case. In addition, the dismissal was contrary to King County Republican Central Comm. v. Republican State Comm., 79 Wn.2d 202, 484 P.2d 387 (1971), a case which illustrates the flexibility RAP 1.2 requires. There respondent King County Republican Central Committee moved for dismissal of the appeal on the same ground argued herein.
Our Supreme Court has interpreted RAP 1.2 to mean that courts can depart from the rules if there is "'no discernible or practical prejudice flowing to respondent, no unfairness to the trial judge, and no inconvenience to [the] court.'" Millikan v. Bd. of Dirs. of Everett Sch. Dist. No. 2, 92 Wn.2d 213, 216, 595 P.2d 533 (1979) (quoting King County Republican Cent. Comm. v. Republican State Comm., 79 Wn.2d 202, 208, 484 P.2d 387 (1971) (allowing appellants to file certification of facts after required deadline)).
[7] In conclusion, we find no error by the trial court. In upholding its ruling we are mindful of the general proposition that courts should be slow to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties in the absence of a clear statutory violation, see King Cy. Republican Cent. Comm. v. Republican State Comm., 79 Wn.2d 202, 208, 484 P.2d 387 (1971). We cannot say that there was such a violation here.
[W]e find no discernible or practical prejudice flowing to respondent, no unfairness to the trial judge, and no inconvenience to this court . . .King County Republican Central Comm. v. Republican State Comm., 79 Wn.2d 202, 208, 484 P.2d 387 (1971). Therefore, we conclude that this appeal should not be dismissed and that this court may proceed as it has, to reach a decision upon the merits.