Proposition 14: Top Two Primaries Act

From Mobilize the Immigrant Vote

What is Proposition 14 - The Top Two Primaries Act?

If approved, Prop 14 will create an “open” or “top-two” primary election system for congressional, statewide and legislative races. All candidates will be lumped together for the primary vote, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election. No other candidates will be listed on general election ballot. Political parties will be prohibited from nominating candidates in a primary but could endorse, support or oppose candidates.

MIV Analysis

As part of negotiations to approve a tax increase last year the Democratically-controlled State Legislature struck a bargain with Senator Abel Maldonado (R-San Luis Obispo). Maldonado and his top supporter Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger believe that extreme conservatives and liberals dominate primary elections and that Prop 14 will allow more "moderate" candidates.

Political parties generally oppose Prop 14. They are concerned that if voters are locked in to only two choices which may be from the same party, participation by voters from other parties in the general election will be discouraged. For all voters, including immigrants and working class communities of color, voter choice will be limited. Smaller parties will be excluded from participating since their candidates rarely manage to finish first or second of all top vote-getters in a primary. Prop 14 also ends write-in voting for the general election - only the top two primary candidates can be listed. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, parties may lose their focus and their power, creating more opportunities for organized interest groups to move their agenda forward.

Key Supporters & Opponents

Supporters include Abel Maldonado, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Campbell (US Senate candidate in CA), Steve Westly (former CA Controller), the CA Chamber of Commerce, the Latin Business Association, and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

Opponents include Chairs of the California Republican Party and California Democratic Party, the Green Party of California, Californians for Electoral Reform, and State Senators Loni Hancock and Manuel Perez.

Recommended Vote

NO