The veteran Los Angeles Times reporter for California state governmnent, George Skelton, has this column. The last sentence is, “Depending on what happens this November, maybe we should consider reforming the system.” This is very significant, because Skelton has been a steadfast and even vociferous supporter of the top-two system ever since it was on the ballot the first time in California, in 2004 (it was defeated that year).

Also, Marty Wilson, spokesperson for the California Chamber of Commerce, is quoted in the piece as suggesting the top-two system should be changed so that it only affects district office, not statewide office. This is also significant. The Chamber of Commerce and the California Business Roundtable some years ago formed a committee to defend the top-two system. That committee has intervened in court in every California lawsuit over any aspect of the top-two system. They even intervened in the pending ACLU lawsuit over party labels for candidates who are registered in unqualified parties, Soltysik v Padilla. That case will get a Ninth Circuit opinion any day now, although it may take time.