LWVC HOME - VOTING Q&As - STATE PROPS - ABOUT LWV
ON BALLOT MEASURES: ABOUT OUR ANALYSIS - LIST of PROPS - SMART VOTER
-----------

LWV CA Ed Fund LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA EDUCATION FUND
Nonpartisan Pros & Cons of

Proposition 3

PARTISAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

----------------------------------------
Legislative Initiative Amendment

THE QUESTION

Should the existing open primary law be changed to require a closed, partisan primary for the purpose of selecting delegates to presidential nominating conventions of national political parties?

THE SITUATION

In 1996, voters passed the Open Primary Act. It allows all voters in primary elections, regardless of party affiliation, to cross party lines and vote for any candidate, including delegates for presidential candidates. Voters do not actually vote for a presidential candidate in the primary but for a slate of delegates pledged to the candidate who vote at the party's national nominating convention. Voting for county central committees is still restricted by party affiliation.

THE PROPOSAL

Voters registered in political parties would receive partisan ballots to select delegates. Independent voters not registered in a party would not be allowed to vote for presidential delegates. Primary election voters could still cross party lines to vote for state offices and U.S. senators and congressmen.

FISCAL EFFECT

According to the Legislative Analyst, this initiative would result in minor costs to state and local governments.

SUPPORTERS SAY

  • Political parties might refuse to seat delegations from open-primary states at national presidential nominating conventions.
  • Voters can still cross party lines to vote for state and other federal candidates.
OPPONENTS SAY
  • Both political parties have procedures to allow seating of delegates from open primary states at national nominating conventions.
  • Independent voters would not be allowed to vote for presidential delegates.
(Analysis prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.)

On Propositions: About our Analysis - List of Props - Smart Voter
LWVC Home - Voting Q&As - State Props - About Us

Last updated: September 7, 1998
Send comments and suggestions concerning this page to nvmk16b@prodigy.com

Copyright 1998 League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.
This page may be linked to or printed in its entirety.