Comments on: Special U.S. House Election in California http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/04/08/special-us-house-election-in-california/ Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:50:01 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jim R http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/04/08/special-us-house-election-in-california/comment-page-1/#comment-321320 Jim R Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:47:40 +0000 http://www.ballot-access.org/?p=3167#comment-321320 The California blanket primary was for purposes of nominating candidates for a general election. California law said basically that (the voters of) each party could nominate one candidate; but it then let non-members, including members of other parties join in the voting. The special election was to determine who was elected to Congress. A political party certainly has no right to object to any qualified person seeking election, or to restrict any qualified voter from the free exercise of his choice for representative. This of course does not diminish the 1st Amendment right of political parties to exhort their lemming-like followers to vote for a particular candidate. The California blanket primary was for purposes of nominating candidates for a general election. California law said basically that (the voters of) each party could nominate one candidate; but it then let non-members, including members of other parties join in the voting.

The special election was to determine who was elected to Congress. A political party certainly has no right to object to any qualified person seeking election, or to restrict any qualified voter from the free exercise of his choice for representative. This of course does not diminish the 1st Amendment right of political parties to exhort their lemming-like followers to vote for a particular candidate.

]]> By: Gene Berkman http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/04/08/special-us-house-election-in-california/comment-page-1/#comment-321139 Gene Berkman Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:28:33 +0000 http://www.ballot-access.org/?p=3167#comment-321139 Mike Moloney, running as an antiwar Republican, came in third with over 4,000 votes, 5.4%. In past elections Mr Moloney has run as a Libertarian. In this campaign, he has called for impeaching Bush and bringing the troops home. Mike Moloney, running as an antiwar Republican, came in third with over 4,000 votes, 5.4%. In past elections Mr Moloney has run as a Libertarian.

In this campaign, he has called for impeaching Bush and bringing the troops home.

]]> By: Richard http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/04/08/special-us-house-election-in-california/comment-page-1/#comment-321008 Richard Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:11:32 +0000 http://www.ballot-access.org/?p=3167#comment-321008 Blanket primaries are only unconstitutional if a political party objects. No political party in California has ever objected to blanket primaries in special elections. Blanket primaries are only unconstitutional if a political party objects. No political party in California has ever objected to blanket primaries in special elections.

]]> By: Bob Richard http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/04/08/special-us-house-election-in-california/comment-page-1/#comment-320947 Bob Richard Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:50:57 +0000 http://www.ballot-access.org/?p=3167#comment-320947 Isn't California's blanket primary arrangement for elections to fill vacancies essentially the same as Prop. 198, ruled unconstitutional for general elections in California Democratic Party vs. Jones? What am I missing here? Isn’t California’s blanket primary arrangement for elections to fill vacancies essentially the same as Prop. 198, ruled unconstitutional for general elections in California Democratic Party vs. Jones? What am I missing here?

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