On February 5, Capitol Weekly/Probolsky Research Poll released a poll on whether Californians would vote for a “top-two” primary system. The idea received support from 49% of the voters, with 35% opposed and the rest undecided. See here for the details.
The specific “top-two” proposal that may appear on a future California ballot is limited to state office, not Congress. The idea is pending in the legislature as ACA 6, a proposed state constitutional amendment sponsored by Assemblymember Charles Calderon. Because it changes the California Constitution, even if the legislature passes it, it would then go to a vote of the people. Or, it could be a constitutional initiative.
The original Top-Two, or the Peace Bill, as it was called after the author, was pulled earlier in the year. LPWA is currently engaged in a federal lawsuit over this in Washington state, with support of the LNC.
This one bears watching because Top-Two is the latest means to kill third parties. All donations to the LPWA legal fund for this suit are greatly appreciated. Contact LPWA Chair Ruth Bennett to donate, and more information is at http://lpwablog.blogspot.com/2009/01/top-two-forward.html.
LPCA Legislative Team is watching this one very closely.
I predict that the constitutional amendment will fail in the assembly, and a “top two” initiative will again be placed on the ballot.
It’s interesting that the “top two”/”open primary” proponents conveniently neglect to mention that a similar measure, Prop. 62, was rejected by 54% of California voters in November 2004. That initiative lost in 51 of the state’s 58 counties.