California Senate Passes Bill to Fully Inform Independent Voters of their Primary Ballot Choices

On September 7, the California Senate passed AB 837, by 27-13. It provides that election officials will inform independent voters of their ability to choose the presidential primary ballot of a party that has authorized independent voters to vote in its presidential primary. Posters will be placed at the polling places. Independent voters will be notified by whatever means are available to contact them directly, whether e-mail, text, postal mail, or telephone. The information will also be in the government Voters’ Guide.

Generally, Democrats voted “yes” and Republicans voted “no.” The only exceptions were that Democratic State Senator Steve Glazer voted “no”, and Republican State Senator Anthony Cannella voted “yes.” The bill had already passed the Assembly, but it must return there because the Senate amended the bill.

In 2016, the Democratic, American Independent, and Libertarian Parties let independents vote in their presidential primaries, whereas the Republican, Green, and Peace & Freedom Parties did not.


Comments

California Senate Passes Bill to Fully Inform Independent Voters of their Primary Ballot Choices — 5 Comments

  1. California should conduct a blanket presidential primary (like in 2000) in which voters could vote for any candidate regardless of party, but would have their party affiliation recorded on the ballot. Each party would determine in advance which votes would be counted for determining their nominee. In addition, candidates who received 2% of the total vote would be placed on the general election ballot.

    In 2000 the General Election ballot would have been:

    Gore (D, NL)
    Bush (R)
    McCain (AI, NL, Ref)
    Nader (G)
    Bradley (I)
    Keyes (I)

  2. Correction:

    In 2000 the General Election ballot would have been:

    Gore (D, NL)
    Bush (R)
    McCain (AI, L, Ref)
    Nader (G)
    Bradley (I)
    Keyes (I)

  3. The bill does not recognize that a party may permit voters who prefer a party that is not participating in the primary to vote in their primary. In addition, under Tashjian, a political party may exclude or include voters from other parties.

    A party could exclude Coffee voters, while permitting Independent voters, etc.

  4. All persons allegedly know about All laws All the time —

    the statist joke/snare to confuse All persons All the time.

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