Steve Peace

Former CA Sen. Steve Peace served 20 years in the legislature and authored the landmark top-two primary system to reduce partisan control. He is also known for his role in the cult classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.

Blame This One on Secretary of State Weber

Eight years ago, there was a competition still in play between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton when the California primary rolled around. But, even though the Democratic Party allowed independent

By Steve Peace

February 26, 2024

Blame This One on Secretary of State Weber

Author of California’s Top-Two Primary Says It’s Time to Reform the Reform

In 2010, California voters took the first step in empowering every California voter by abolishing party-controlled closed partisan primaries in favor of open nonpartisan primaries that advance the top two vote-getters to the November election.

By Steve Peace

February 14, 2024

Author of California’s Top-Two Primary Says It’s Time to Reform the Reform

CALIFORNIA COURT: It's OK to Suppress Independent Voter Rights

For a state that claims to lead the nation in voter rights, California’s presidential primary rules are a study in hypocrisy. The California Constitution requires that all elections for

By Steve Peace

March 29, 2023

On Moderation

Without the tempering influence of moderation, the public face of politics is dissolved into banal drama. Extremists engage in theatrical behavior by demonizing their foes in bitterly careless terms.

By Steve Peace

January 26, 2021

On Moderation

Editor's Note: The following is a speech given by Steve Peace in 1998 along with additional supporting documents from research and extracted passages from earlier drafts of the

By Steve Peace

January 26, 2021

Never Before Have Independents Had The Power Over an Election Like They Do Right Now in California

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - It’s simple math. The Kavanaugh confirmation has calcified partisan voters like no event in recent history. The result? It’s all up to California’s second-

By Steve Peace

October 10, 2018

Independents Will Tip Key Races... Despite Being Ignored by Politicians

Election reform advocates have been scratching their heads over the failure of statewide candidates in California to tap into the rich vein of independent voters empowered by the nonpartisan top-

By Steve Peace

May 29, 2018

Data Industrial Complex: We Don't Destroy Our Enemies; We Change Them

Former California State Senator Steve Peace spoke about the future of Data, Facebook, Privacy protection and the importance of the Middle Man. Did We Sell Our Souls For Pizza-on-

By Steve Peace

April 12, 2018