On March 12, the local Chambers of Commerce in southeast Los Angeles County held a forum on several ballot measures, including Proposition 14, the “top-two open primary” measure. The local chambers of commerce who sponsored the meeting include the Chambers of Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, Norwalk, and two other cities.
After the group heard speakers on both sides, a member of the audience obtained the floor and moved that the group rescind its earlier endorsement of Proposition 14. The motion passed unanimously. The speaker against Proposition 14, Craig Thorsen, identified himself as representing the Green Party. During his presentation, he first outlined the way in which Proposition 14 curtails voting rights at the general election. Then, he presented evidence that the measure, if passed, would not cause a more moderate legislature to be elected, using evidence from the only two states that have already used the idea, as well as evidence from California’s four years with the blanket primary. Finally, he mentioned that the constitutionality of the idea is still not established.
The speaker in favor of Proposition 14 had made the case that Proposition 14 will cause a legislature of moderates to come into existence.
Prop 14 does ZERO about gerrymanders — the underlying cause of the EVIL ROT in CA.
BUT it would at least have some semi-real opposition in general elections for the incumbent party hack MONSTERS in many more gerrymander districts.
P.R. and A.V. — NO primaries are needed.
I was present at the meeting. The 5 chambers of commerce participating in the Regional Chambers Alliance are Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, La Mirada and Whittier. Now that the Alliance has heard from both sides and made a recommendation on the proposition, each Chamber’s Board of Directors will individually have the opportunity to consider a position.
Electoral reforms won’t fix California gridlock by Eric McGee
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/13/INQU1C9AQT.DTL
Political Scientist Eric McGee said, “The so-called “blanket” primary – which also let voters choose any candidate, regardless of party – increased moderation slightly in the Assembly. But the change in the U.S. House delegation barely registered, and there was no real effect in the state Senate.”