Assuming the Arizona initiative for a top-two open primary has enough signatures, it will be on the November 2012 Arizona ballot this way: Proposition _ (the number has not yet been assigned). Proposed Amendment to the Constitution by the Initiative Relating to Direct Primary Election Law. Replaces the Current Party Primary Election with a “Top-Two” Primary Election in which All the Voters, Regardless of Party Affiliation, Vote in a Single, Combined Primary and the Top Two Vote-Getters for Each Seat Advance to the General Election.”
This description of the measure is fair to both the proponents and the opponents. It is far more fair than the California initiative wording, which was on the ballot as “Primaries. Increases Participation in Primary Elections.”
The Goldwater Institute recently declared that it opposes the Arizona initiative, joining the Arizona League of Women Voters as an opponent. Thanks to Warren Severin for the news about the ballot description.
“Primaries. Increases Participation in Primary Elections.”
Has there been a lawsuit to overturn Prop 14/88 on the basis that this title was a fraud on the voting public?
As I understand it participation in the primary actually went down, not up.
The actual legal text controls — NOT any MORON hype rigged summary.
I.E. each Elector-Voter allegedly takes the time and effort to look at every word in every ballot proposal – has full legal knowledge of every thing since Adam and Eve including all court cases on the subjects involved, etc.
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P.R. and nonpartisan App.V.
NO primaries.
#1, no. Unfortunately the California ballot title was written by State Court of Appeals judges.
As a write-in candidate for the Green Party nomination for the Arizona State House of Representatives from the Twenty-Fourth Legislative District, I am for anything that increases participation in elections, primary or general. If I thought that the Open Elections/Open Government initiative would increase participation, I would be all for it. Unfortunately, the American voter does not become fully engaged in the political process until late October, just before the general election. By that time, their choices have been narrowed considerably. Here in Arizona, under the current system that choice most likely includes a Democrat and a Republican. There may even be a Libertarian or Green. If the top-two open primary initiative passes, voters will have the choice of a Democrat and a Republican if they are lucky. Most likely they will get to choose between two Democrats or two Republicans. The only Libertarians or Greens on the ballot will be in races with a well-heeled incumbant. I like having more choices in November, not fewer. I believe that having choices draws voters to the polls. I am going to have to side with the Save Our Vote people on this one and vote “No” on the Open Elections/Open Government initiative.
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Proposition 14 in California had the following title:
“ELECTIONS. INCREASES RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS.”
Proposition 14 – Elections. Increases Right To Participate In Primary Elections.
Changes the primary election process for congressional, statewide, and legislative races. Allows all voters to choose any candidate regardless of the candidate’s or voter’s political party preference. Ensures that the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will appear on the general election ballot regardless of party preference.
#4 – “Unfortunately, the American voter does not become fully engaged in the political process until late October, just before the general election. By that time, their choices have been narrowed considerably.”
If all the voters’ of AZ want to be part of the selection process, called a primary, that need to get in the game. But no new process will work if it does not also open equally the process for all candidates.
#6, #7 NO mention of —
This EVIL Prop does NOTHING about the EVIL minority rule gerrymander districts in this EVIL rotted State.
1/2 votes x 1/2 gerrymander districts = 1/4 CONTROL.
regardless of ALL of the MORON math folks on the internet.
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P.R. and nonpartisan App.V.
Save Democracy before the gerrymander MONSTERS destroy it.