Nicholas Goldberg, an associate editor of the Los Angeles Times, has this analysis of California’s top-two system. The piece quotes three political scientists. Two of them believe it has been beneficial, and one of them does not. Ironically, all three of these political scientists expressed these opinions twelve years ago when the system was passed by the voters.

The article is balanced, but fails to mention the biggest impact that the California and Washington top-two systems has produced: a complete elimination of minor party candidates on the general election ballot, except in races in which one of the major parties doesn’t run anyone. Thanks to Eric Wong for the link. The piece has been published in many newspapers besides just the Los Angeles Times.