Open Primaries
Most states and all presidential elections are conducted under a partisan election process. This means that candidates for political office must run for election first as the representative of their party, before they appeal to the people as a whole. Because of gerrymandering and campaign finance laws that favor partisan candidates, open primaries, that have been enacted in a few states like California, Washington, and Louisiana, allow non-partisan voters to make their voice heard in the all-important primary elections, where most races are decided.
By Lucas Eaves | 05/22/2013 | Activism, Ballot Access, Elections 2014, Electoral Reform, Headline, In-Depth, Movements, Open Primaries
Last week, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) invited Professor Gabriel Lenz to discuss his study on the impact of the top-two primary system in California. As a result of focusing solely on the election of more moderate candidates, the study does not offer a clear understanding of the consequences of the top-two primary.
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By Steve Peace | 04/24/2013 | Headline, In-Depth, Open Primaries, Safety
Yesterday, the California State Senate unanimously concurred in minor Assembly Amendments to SB 140 by Senator Mark Leno, thus sending the bill to Governor Brown for his expected signature. The bi-partisan votes on SB 140 is the first but not the last beneficial effect of the Open Primary and Competitive redistricting.
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By Lucas Eaves | 04/23/2013 | California, Headline, IVN, Open Primaries
The decision by trade expert Ro Khanna to challenge seven-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Mike Honda in 2014 has made the headlines in California this week.
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By Lucas Eaves | 04/19/2013 | Headline, Open Primaries
Montana House of Representative will vote on Friday on a proposed referendum that would create a top two primary system in Montana. If the House votes in favor of the bill, Montanans will have the opportunity to vote on the adoption of a new system in November 2014.
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By Lucas Eaves | 04/10/2013 | Electoral Reform, Headline, In-Depth, Open Primaries
On the subject of election reform in Florida, much attention has focused on the efforts made by the state Senate to improve the electoral system and remedy the many failures of the 2012 elections.
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By Lucas Eaves | 04/05/2013 | Headline, In-Depth, Open Primaries
With the filing of the appeal in the Field v. Bowen case, the California non-partisan top two primary’s legal challenges continue.
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By Edward Bonnette | 04/02/2013 | Arizona, California, Headline, In-Depth, Open Primaries, Washington
Many people hear the phrase ‘open primary’ and assume that this is the most transparent and fair type of primary system. But, “open” primaries are still partisan elections in which nominees from each party are selected.
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