“OPEN” PRIMARY MEASURE,PROP 14, OPPOSED BY ALL POLITICAL PARTIES IN CALIFORNIA
Prop 14 would ban party primaries, allow candidates to run without disclosing party, ban write-in candidates, and allow a general election run-off between two candidates in the same party June 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A recent poll shows 60% of voters support Prop 14, the so-called “open primary” initiative on the June 8 ballot. But the measure goes far beyond “open primary” measures elsewhere. Opponents say most people don’t understand the implications of the measure, which is opposed by both the Democratic and Republican parties in California as well as minor parties including the Libertarian, Green and Peace & Freedom Parties. The law would eliminate party primary races. Instead, candidates from all parties would run in a single primary that is open to all registered voters. The top two vote-getters would then compete in the general election—even if the top two are in the same party. So voters could face a general election with only two Republicans, or only two Democrats. In conventional open primaries, by contrast, each party conducts its own primary election, but voters may choose which party ballot to request. In California, current law allows parties to decide whether or not to allow independent voters to request the party’s ballot or not. In 2008, Democrats allowed this, but Republicans did not. The new initiative goes much farther. Candidates would not be required to list their party affiliations on the ballot, meaning voters might have no idea what party affiliation they are voting for. Opponents complain that the process would also leave room for a party to manipulate the process by organizing votes for a weak opponent to the party’s leading candidate. Minor parties argue that the system would break their parties completely, leaving no chance for their candidates to even appear on the ballot in a general election. The measure also prohibits write-in candidates in general elections, sharply restricting voters’ choices. Supporters’ main argument is that the process would produce more “moderate” candidates, though there is no evidence that this has occurred elsewhere. Supporters have also argued that the measure could improve voter turnout among nonpartisan or independent voters. But evidence suggests the opposite. In Hawaii, primary turnout fell from 74.6% to 42.2% after changing to open primaries. The measure was put on the ballot as a concession to State Senate Abe Maldonado, who insisted that the Legislature vote to put the initiative on the ballot as a condition for Maldonado casting the deciding vote for the budget. Prop 14 is supported by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. More than $2 million in funding came from a “California Dream Team” of funds raised by Schwarzenegger. The measure also has huge financial backing from insurance, hospital and corporate interests. "Proposition 14 will actually increase the costs of political campaigns in California, already the most expensive in the nation, which will give more power to the very same special interests and big contributors who want you to vote for Proposition 14," said John Burton, chairman of the California Democratic Party. California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring said, “This measure will contribute to the further political Balkanization of California. It will limit voter choice.” If the measure passes, both parties may consider switching to a caucus system similar to that used in Iowa to elect candidates. Printer-friendly version
EDITORIAL: PROPOSITION 14 WILL MAKE OUR BROKEN TWO-PARTY POLITICAL SYSTEM EVEN WORSE
By Ann Menasche April 1, 2010 (San Diego)–Proponents of Proposition 14 claim that the “Top two primary” would relieve the partisanship and legislative dysfunction that characterize our political system. I could not disagree more. Rather than fixing the situation, Proposition 14 would permanently cement in place the appallingly broken two-party system that has been on full display in Washington this year. Proposition 14 would effectively eliminate the already limited electoral options for many American voters, preventing innovative ideas and solutions from entering the political debate. Similar laws passed in Washington and Louisiana have not improved the partisan nature of elections or elected officials. Proposition 14 would deny independent and third party candidates and politicians in this country a chance to be heard while further polarizing our districts and limiting voter choice – all at increased costs to tax payers and candidates. Consider a Democrat living in a district that is 60% Republican; it is likely that almost every general election will feature the two Republican candidates who got the highest votes in the “primary”. This person would effectively be disenfranchised, facing a choice of voting for a candidate s/he strongly opposes or not voting at all. The 25% of Californians who are neither Democrats nor Republicans may never see an independent or third party candidate on the general ballot again. Is Proposition 14 the best our democracy can hope for? Not when there are real, viable solutions to our electoral problems that are easy to implement, and would increase voter participation and help revitalize our democracy: 1) Instant runoff voting (IRV) and proportional representation – these systems, which allow voters to rank candidates rather than just choosing one, would eliminate costly and poorly attended primaries altogether, solve the partisanship issue by allowing all candidates to compete in an open playing field, prevent “spoiling”, and ensure that the winner garners a majority vote. 2) Same day registration and paid time off on Election Day – ensure all Americans have access to vote. 3) Public financing of campaigns – ensures all candidates have an equal voice in the debate, not just the billionaires, and eliminates corporate domination of our elections. In a year when voters are angry and disgusted enough to look past the bickering Democrats and Republicans for effective, common sense solutions, it’s not surprising that the two major parties would try to prevent the election of independent and third party candidates while ignoring genuine solutions that would make our elections more democratic. Californians defeated a similar “top two” proposition in 2004. Let’s hope voters will see past this partisan ploy, and vote no on Proposition 14 in June. Ann Menasche of San Diego is the Green Party candidate for California Secretary of State. The opinions expressed in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial for consideration, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version