EDITOR: A statewide initiative, which would allow only the two
top vote-getters in a primary, despite their party affiliation, to
advance to the general election, has earned the complete and
unequivocal opposition of the Green Party of California (GPCA).
EDITOR:
A statewide initiative, which would allow only the two top vote-getters in a primary, despite their party affiliation, to advance to the general election, has earned the complete and unequivocal opposition of the Green Party of California (GPCA).
Limiting the general election to only the top two vote-getters denies voters a full range of electoral choices. The voter’s choice open primary does exactly the opposite of what its supporters claim by reducing choice to only two candidates. Additionally, in a majority of California’s gerrymandered districts it will result in races where only two Democrats or only two Republicans face off in November.
The initiative, promoted by State Controller Steve Westly, would eliminate official political party candidates in all but the presidential race. It would return California to an open primary system similar to 1996’s Proposition 198, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The proposed initiative would halt the statewide progress Greens have made in recent elections. It almost guarantees a Democrat and Republican emerging on top, and that is a formula we just can’t condone.
This primary initiative has drawn opposition not only from the GPCA, but also from high-ranking officials in the two major parties.
Republican Party spokesman Mike Wintemute said that political parties play a key role in telling voters what candidates stand for and should not be taken out of the selection process. Democratic Party spokesman Bob Mullholland also said that the initiative raises several legal issues regarding third parties.
The Green Party
of California
