Joe Mathews has this opinion piece in Fox & Hounds, commenting on John Wildemuth’s earlier piece about why top-two systems are desirable. Both Mathews and Wildemuth are California journalists and writers. Thanks to Rob Richie for the link.
Joe Mathews has this opinion piece in Fox & Hounds, commenting on John Wildemuth’s earlier piece about why top-two systems are desirable. Both Mathews and Wildemuth are California journalists and writers. Thanks to Rob Richie for the link.
Donkey leftwing conspiracy took over the CA gerrymander commission.
1/2 votes (or less) x 1/2 gerrymander areas = 1/4 (or less) CONTROL
P.R.
NO primaries.
This is where None of the Above on the ballot would help. If I have to choose between two of the same party, I probably wouldn’t vote. No wonder voter turnout is going down in CA since Top Two.
Yes, yes, yes. Fun and funny short visit to that bent universe where electoral contests are FOR jounalists, not voters. Well made points.
#2 Turnout in the June 2012 (Top 2) primary was up 17% from 2008 (partisan primary).
California had two primaries in 2008, a presidential primary in March with 57.7% of the registered voters participating, and then a primary a few months later that included no statewide races and just had U.S. House and legislature on the ballot. It had turnout of 28.22%.
The top-two primary turnout in June 2012 was 31.06%, even though it was both a presidential primary and a primary for other partisan office. That was the lowest turnout in 100 years of California history for primaries that included president. It wasn’t even as high as the June 2010 primary turnout, which was not a top-two primary and was 33.3%.
#5 There was a non-race for the Democratic presidential nomination, and the Republican nomination had been settled months before. There wasn’t much of a contest for the senate.
In addition, voter registration growth was far in excess of population growth, so the turnout in 2012 is understated.
So it had to be Top 2 that was the draw.
There was a non-race for the Republican presidential primary in 1984, and furthermore California had no US Senate race in 1984. Yet the primary turnout in 1984 was 48.65%. Contrast that with the top-two turnout of June 2012 of 31.06%, when there was a US Senate race.
There was a non-race for the Republican presidential primary in 1972, and furthermore California had no US Senate race in 1972. Yet the primary turnout in 1972 was 70.95%.
Correction:
“So it had to be Top 2 that was the drawback.”
Fixed it for ya.