Op-Ed: California A 'No Party State' under Nonpartisan Election Reforms

image
Author: Jeff Marston
Created: 11 Mar, 2016
Updated: 21 Nov, 2022
2 min read

On Thursday, March 10, Sherry Bebitch Jeffe and Douglas Jeffe published a column in Reuters about the impact nonpartisan election reforms are having in California, including independent redistricting and the nonpartisan, top-two open primary (authored by the Independent Voter Project). They conclude that while California may appear to be a one-party state, it has actually become a "no party state."

A consequential change has been the implementation of the “top two” primary. Under this system, all candidates for a legislative, congressional or statewide office compete on a single primary ballot. Voters then choose between the two top vote-getters — regardless of party affiliation — in the general election. No longer are there closed primaries in which the most liberal candidate generally prevails in Democratic districts, and hard-right conservatives dominate the Republican districts. Under the new rules, campaigns increasingly look to the entire electorate in primaries, not just to the party faithful. In several legislative and congressional races, this has meant run-offs between two contenders from the same party. Independents and voters of the opposition party often hold the balance of power.

Voter approved reforms such as the nonpartisan, top-two open primary, independent redistricting commission, simple majority vote to approve a state budget, and term limit reform are highlighted as contributing factors to the "moderate California."

The authors claim that while the majority of voters are driven by positions generally supported by Democrats, because of the voter-driven measures mentioned above, the once fiercely partisan nature of the legislature has shifted toward the center. They're not sure if this is a break from the political dysfunction of the recent past or a political trend that could, as so many before have, spread nationwide.

"All things considered, though, politics and governance seem to be functioning far better in California than in Washington — or on the presidential campaign trail. At a time when “moderate” has become a dirty word on the national scene, California government is functioning — and functioning well — pretty much in the middle of the road," the authors write.

The Independent Voter Project is sponsoring a new resolution that calls for the adoption of a nonpartisan "public ballot" option in presidential primary elections in order to ensure that all voters have an opportunity to voice their preference in the presidential election, regardless of their party affiliation or preference.

The resolution would not eliminate party ballots, but would simply give voters the option to vote on a ballot with all qualifying candidates on it (regardless of party) if they do not want to participate in a party's primary election or are barred from doing so by the party. The resolution is currently before the Assembly Elections Committee.

Read the Full Article by Sherry and Douglas Jeffe here.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey M. Frank / Shutterstock.com

Latest articles

Clear ballot box with ballot inside.
Skokie Is the Latest Illinois City to Embrace Ranked Choice Voting
Skokie voters went to the polls on April 1 amidst a closely watched mayoral election to decide whether or not to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV). With 100% of precincts reporting, 58% of participating voters said ‘Yes’ to changing how the city conducts elections. ...
02 Apr, 2025
-
2 min read
Overhead shot of cargo at a port.
What Will Trump's 'Liberation Day' Mean for US Job Growth?
April 2 marks President Donald Trump’s ‘Liberation Day,’ which could usher in the most aggressive tariffs in modern US history or be completely blown out of proportion....
01 Apr, 2025
-
5 min read
Cory Booker
Cory Booker Just Delivered the Longest Senate Speech in US History
Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey made history with a marathon speech on the Senate floor, surpassing 24 hours in a sweeping protest against the policies of former President Donald Trump....
01 Apr, 2025
-
2 min read