Florida proponents of a top-two system have filed a proposed initiative constitutional amendment with the Secretary of State. This link contains the form of the petition and the wording of the proposal. The proponents include attorney Glenn Burhans, Jr., of Tallahassee, and Andrew Jones. Thanks to Richard Moroney for the link.
The brain rot infection spreads some more.
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NO primaries.
P.R. and nonpartisan App.V.
Oh for the love of God, it’s spreading. I hope Florida voters are intelligent enough to reject Top Two if it makes it to the ballot.
I’m afraid TOP TWO will find favor in Florida. In the rural counties (the Big Bend area around Tallahassee) and in the Panhandle is where the rural counties exist which still have a majority of Democratic voters, these Tobacco Chewing Democrats love their Democratic Sheriffs, but join with the more trendy GOP in electing Republican Governors. Often they find a decision to make, as Florida’s primaries are closed, and they have to decide to vote for a Democrat in the Democratic Primary, and pass over the GOP Primary where a Republican candidate for office also appeals to them.
TOP TWO would help them avoid this as they could have the best of both worlds. Vote for that favorite Democrat for Sheriff and that favorite Republican for Governor. Sadly, TOP TWO will crush the 3rd parties and Independent candidates in the middle.
It is also sad, as I go back to the 1960s when feeble efforts were made to get the Legislature to pass a fair law for 3rd party access. Despite alot of money spent, and promises broken by Legislators, Florida voters did not get real reform until a Libertarian led effort to pass a state constitutional amendment in 1998. Due to either just luck, or an enlightened electorate, the amendment passed, despite it being opposed by both major parties and many major newspapers. The amendment has a life of at least 20 years, meaning it could be up for change in 2018. TOP TWO forces will certainly attempt to change it.
It is also sad, as during the last 18 years, with the exception of the Libertarian Party, most other 3rd parties have rarely used this fair ballot access legislation. I hope we can wake up all the 3rd parties in Florida and keep it as part of the state constitution, but the proponents of TOP TWO have deep pockets and are not afraid to spend.
To voters who think that being able to vote for the candidate is more important, they fail to realize that TOP TWO will destroy the historic 3rd party which has forced the major parties to make reforms which otherwise, they might not have made.
Fortunately, TOP TWO is not a threat to 3rd party Presidential candidates, as it would require amending the U.S. Constitution. Perhaps, we may have to just place all our political eggs in the Presidential Basket, and use that election (which has for all practical purposes become a 4 year process) to get our message out. And there is some merit to this strategy. 3rd parties do spend alot of money (and time)on 3rd party campaigns for Governor and lessor offices, and we haven’t seen a big return for the bucks invested. Maybe if the Presidential election will now capture our attention, we can concentrate on this 4 year ordeal, and use it as a forum for the many issues which we would have discussed as candidates for Governor, Congressman, and Sheriff.
After all, when you only have lemons, make some lemonade.
On March 25, I got a friendly e-mail from one of the proponents of the Florida initiative, suggesting that the group that filed this initiative is not necessarily wedded to this proposal, and that the Louisiana system, in which every candidate runs in November, is worthy of consideration.
I could support the Louisiana system over the TOP TWO as we currently understand it. With the Louisiana system, at least ALL candidates are on the November ballot, and it feels like (as for as 3rd partisans and Independents go) they are participating in the REAL election – the General Election.
Also, in Louisiana in 2014, a couple of 3rd parties candidates did get elected. Don’t recall of that happening in any election which used TOP TWO.
The Louisiana system would satisfy the “tobacco chewing” Democrats as they still could vote for their good ole local boy for Sheriff, and also work against those liberal Democrats running for Governor or U.S. Senator.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed they will see where the Louisiana system would be better supported.
Louisiana doesn’t hold their elections in November.
Top Two is a step in the right direction. It worked great to unite our team in California and I expect it will work fine elsewhere.
James Ogle: Don’t know what you called it, but the rest of us called November 4, 2014 the Day of the General Election in Louisiana and in the remaining 49 states. What kind of Election did you call this day?
Got my names mixed up. I meant Jim Riley when I was referring to the General Election in Louisiana. Again, what day did you call November 4, 2104 in Louisiana?
James Ogle: “Top Two is a step in the right direction. It worked great to unite our team in California and I expect it will work fine elsewhere.” What “direction” are you wanting the United States to go? You weren’t thinking of the United Nations, by chance were you?
Under the United Nations, there won’t be any “electons” as we know them. Instead, a small group of elitists will decide who will control this world government. I can assure you of one thing. As long as I live, there will never be a United Nations flag flown from any property that I have control of.
I think I speak for 99.99% of the others who read Ballot Access News.
Al Indy,
By 2104 Congress will have been implemented Top 2 nationwide. November 1, 2104, the first Saturday in November will be Runoff Day.