Proposition 14, if passed by the voters in the June Primary, will scratch the current method we elect our legislators by allowing the two top vote-getters – regardless of party – to run against each other in a November runoff election.
In some heavily Democratic districts and heavily Republican districts, this could lead to two candidates of the same party to run against each other in November.
Opponents of Prop. 14 have made the argument that this would "narrow voter choice" by prohibiting the state’s smaller third-parties (i.e. Green, Peace & Freedom, American Independent and Libertarian) from appearing on the November General Election ballot.
Not true. They will still be allowed to run in the June Primary, and should their candidate come in first or second, they will then have earned the right to be on the November ballot.
However, these so-called third parties barely participate in the process as it is now.
Though they all field candidates to run vanity races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and the other statewide races, they barely participate in the races for state legislature … where the Prop. 14 election reforms are most needed.
There are TWENTY state senate seats up for election this year. The Green Party has ZERO candidates running for state senate; the American Independent Party has one, Peace & Freedom has a total of 2, and the Libertarian Party has 6.
There are EIGHTY assembly seats up for election this year. The Green Party has fielded a candidate in only 5 of the 80 districts, the American Independent Party has one, Peace & Freedom has 4, and the Libertarian Party has 18.
Those who don’t participate should not complain about the rules.