Smart Voter Your Ballot & Poll Place On Propositions Ballot Measure Analysis Pros & Cons Prop 1A Prop 65 Prop 59 Prop 66 Prop 60 Prop 67 Prop 60A Prop 68 Prop 61 Prop 69 Prop 62 Prop 70 Prop 63 Prop 71 Prop 64 Prop 72 PDF In Depth Prop 1A Prop 65 Prop 59 Prop 66 Prop 60 Prop 67 Prop 60A Prop 68 Prop 61 Prop 69 Prop 62 Prop 70 Prop 63 Prop 71 Prop 64 Prop 72 About Ballot Measures Background How to Evaluate State Bond Debt The Initiative Process Other Absentee Voting Register to Vote

ELECTIONS, PRIMARIES.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute

THE QUESTION

Should the State Constitution be amended to require primary elections that allow all voters to vote for any state or federal candidate (other than for President or party committee) regardless of party affiliation, and to require that the two candidates receiving the most votes for an office advance to the general election ballot?

THE SITUATION

California generally holds two statewide elections to elect candidates to public office, a primary and a general election. Voters affiliated with a particular political party receive their party’s ballot. The primary election determines each political party’s nominee for the general election. In the general election, voters then choose among all the parties’ nominees, as well as any independent candidates, to elect a candidate to office.

In 1996, Proposition 198 created a “blanket” primary system which allowed all voters, regardless of party registration, to vote for any candidate in a primary election. This system was used for the 1998 and 2000 primaries, but, subsequently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the system unconstitutional and the state returned to using party-specific primary ballots.

THE PROPOSAL

For most state and federal offices, all voters, including those not registered with a political party, would be allowed to vote for any candidate. The measure does not apply to the election of the U.S. President or political party committees’ candidates. Only the top two vote-getters, regardless of political party, would advance to the general election. If approved, the new system would begin with the March 2006 primary.

FISCAL EFFECT

Because costs and savings would offset each other, there would be no significant fiscal effect on state or local government.

WHAT A YES OR NO VOTE MEANS

A YES vote means that, beginning in the primary election of 2006, voters can vote for state or federal candidates (except President and party committee) regardless of party affiliation and that the top two vote-getters appear on the general election ballot.

A NO vote means the provisions of the present system remain in effect.

SUPPORTERS SAY

Proposition 62 will:

• Open up California’s election process
• Expand voter choices
• Increase voter participation
• Create more competition in elections

OPPONENTS SAY

Proposition 62 will:

• Restrict voters to only two choices in the general election
• Force minor parties off the ballot
• Suppress voter turnout
• Decrease competition and opportunities for minority candidates

For more information:

Supporters: Californians for an Open Primary, (818) 843-1487, www.openprimary.org

Opponents: Californians for Election Accountability, (916) 443-6703, www.noon62.com

Send comments concerning the format or usability of this page to lwvc@vcwatts.org