Comments on: Update on “Top-Two Primary” issue in California

By: Clay Shentrup

Clay Shentrup — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:17:55 +0000

Morgan Brykein is quite right. With Score Voting (aka Range Voting) this could work well. But most any other method would cause this system to be quite a mess.

By: Mathew "RennDawg" Renner

Mathew "RennDawg" Renner — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:16:26 +0000

Wait a minute Rich Vainer, If you are refering to my post you should know that Washington’s current primary was opposed by both major parties and most third parties. This was approved by the people through popular vote. So do not blame the major parties for this.

By: Michael H. Wilson

Michael H. Wilson — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:38:05 +0000

Rich one of the sad things behind this was the support the press gave to the idea of the top two.

By: Rich Vanier

Rich Vanier — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:49:26 +0000

This illustrates how corrupt the two major parties are and how far they will go to keep their power.

By: Mathew "RennDawg" Renner

Mathew "RennDawg" Renner — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:30:18 +0000

We have it here in Washington. Sometimes it means 2 Dems or 2 Reps. It has only happened is districts where one party has an overwelming majority. But, we have an open congressional race in 2010. There are quite a few candiates already declared. With almost a dozen potential candidates. With this two things could happen. A unified third party may get one of the 2 top spots or 2 from the same party.

By: Michael Seebeck

Michael Seebeck — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:30:56 +0000

Debra is completely correct, and the LPCA unanimously voted to oppose it at the last ExComm (as if we’d vote otherwise on this one!).

The good news is that nobody wants this in any party and the last time it popped up, voters shot it down.

By: Morgan Brykein

Morgan Brykein — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:16:18 +0000

I think this top-two primary would be perfect with range voting, but with our current system, no way.

By: paulie

paulie — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:10:12 +0000

Those who are against this should point out that about 40% of the population is not a member of the Republican or Democratic parties. Effectively this disenfranchises that 40% of the population.

It’s a lot more than 40% if you count the non-voters.

By: Michael H. Wilson

Michael H. Wilson — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:36:33 +0000

Those who are against this should point out that about 40% of the population is not a member of the Republican or Democratic parties. Effectively this disenfranchises that 40% of the population.

By: Third Party Revolution

Third Party Revolution — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:52:13 +0000

It sounds scary indeed.

By: libertariangirl

libertariangirl — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:36:54 +0000

if it flies in Cali , other states will follow when they figure out it’s a successful way to cripple 3rd parties. we need to fight this tooth and nail . Ruth Bennett warned this would happen after Washington.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:25:38 +0000

Somebody stop this asshole. I’m for electoral reform but this is just evil.

By: Third Party Revolution

Third Party Revolution — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:04:32 +0000

Is there a “No on Top-Two” Campaign? If there isn’t, maybe Richard should start one.