On March 12, the local Chambers of Commerce in southeast Los Angeles County held a forum on several ballot measures, including Proposition 14, the “top-two open primary” measure. The local chambers of commerce who sponsored the meeting include the Chambers of Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, Norwalk, and two other cities.
After the group heard speakers on both sides, a member of the audience obtained the floor and moved that the group rescind its earlier endorsement of Proposition 14. The motion passed unanimously. The speaker against Proposition 14, Craig Thorsen, identified himself as representing the Green Party. During his presentation, he first outlined the way in which Proposition 14 curtails voting rights at the general election. Then, he presented evidence that the measure, if passed, would not cause a more moderate legislature to be elected, using evidence from the only two states that have already used the idea, as well as evidence from California’s four years with the blanket primary. Finally, he mentioned that the constitutionality of the idea is still not established.
The speaker in favor of Proposition 14 had made the case that Proposition 14 will cause a legislature of moderates to come into existence.