Two Government Reform Measures on June 8 Ballot in California AARP Bulletin
Two Government Reform Measures on June 8 Ballot in California - AARP Bulletin
• Two good-government propositions are on the primary ballot.
• Proposition 14 would create an open primary.
• Proposition 15 would create public financing for secretary of state candidates. Californians are fed up with the economic fade of their not-so-Golden State as well as its squabbling politicians. The June 8 primary election offers voters a chance to shake things up with two ballot propositions that threaten the power of the political establishment and wealthy special interests. , sweeping out party-specific contests in favor of a single, all-comers ballot. , the office that oversees elections. AARP is taking the lead among the propositions’ proponents, and the who believe both propositions build on a 2008 vote to end partisan drawing of political district boundaries. Proposition 14 envisions all candidates, whether independent or backed by a party, listed on one ballot. All voters, including independents, could jump party lines to vote. The top two primary vote-getters would advance to the general election. by party rules. “We believe it will result in more voter turnout, more choices for voters and a more responsive legislature,” said Jeannine English, president of AARP California. Sending more moderates to Sacramento could break partisan logjams that have paralyzed progress on crucial issues ranging from the state budget to the water crisis, failing schools and prison overcrowding, and AARP priorities such as in-home services for older people. Veteran political analyst Tony Quinn said open primary winners would emerge presumably after campaigning beyond the influential party constituencies—unions on the Democratic side and anti-tax groups among Republicans—and take office with broader interests in mind. commissioned . “It will let legislators be less robotic than just reacting to the most powerful interests in their districts,” said Quinn, who as a federal court witness defended an earlier crossover primary effort that was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000. Unlike that proposal, Proposition 14 won’t give crossover voters a say on party nominees but will simply advance the two top vote getters regardless of party. In a novel feat, Proposition 14 has unified Democrats and Republicans in opposition. , the downside being that party insiders would make the choice without a vote of the rank-and-file. called predictions of moderation “absolute baloney,” and said a brief experiment with crossover primaries a few years ago didn’t seem to make the legislature more moderate. The parties worry about higher primary costs and, to their dismay, the possibility of a November ballot with two Democrats or two Republicans facing off. But the proposition nonetheless faces rough sledding, said Dan Schnur, director of the . Democrats and Republicans “are extremely talented in protecting this duopoly they’ve developed,” he said. Similarly, , must overcome opposition from powerful lobbyists. They would be tapped to the tune of $350 a year to finance secretary of state campaigns, in lieu of traditional fundraising. But at minimum, he said, the secretary of state should be free of financial taint, “the person with the best ideas and qualifications, not just the best at raising money.” Check out the and AARP California websites for more information. Rita Beamish is a freelance journalist based in San Mateo, Calif. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Two Government Reform Measures on June 8 Ballot
AARP urges ' Yes' on Propositions 14 and 15
Summary:• Two good-government propositions are on the primary ballot.
• Proposition 14 would create an open primary.
• Proposition 15 would create public financing for secretary of state candidates. Californians are fed up with the economic fade of their not-so-Golden State as well as its squabbling politicians. The June 8 primary election offers voters a chance to shake things up with two ballot propositions that threaten the power of the political establishment and wealthy special interests. , sweeping out party-specific contests in favor of a single, all-comers ballot. , the office that oversees elections. AARP is taking the lead among the propositions’ proponents, and the who believe both propositions build on a 2008 vote to end partisan drawing of political district boundaries. Proposition 14 envisions all candidates, whether independent or backed by a party, listed on one ballot. All voters, including independents, could jump party lines to vote. The top two primary vote-getters would advance to the general election. by party rules. “We believe it will result in more voter turnout, more choices for voters and a more responsive legislature,” said Jeannine English, president of AARP California. Sending more moderates to Sacramento could break partisan logjams that have paralyzed progress on crucial issues ranging from the state budget to the water crisis, failing schools and prison overcrowding, and AARP priorities such as in-home services for older people. Veteran political analyst Tony Quinn said open primary winners would emerge presumably after campaigning beyond the influential party constituencies—unions on the Democratic side and anti-tax groups among Republicans—and take office with broader interests in mind. commissioned . “It will let legislators be less robotic than just reacting to the most powerful interests in their districts,” said Quinn, who as a federal court witness defended an earlier crossover primary effort that was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000. Unlike that proposal, Proposition 14 won’t give crossover voters a say on party nominees but will simply advance the two top vote getters regardless of party. In a novel feat, Proposition 14 has unified Democrats and Republicans in opposition. , the downside being that party insiders would make the choice without a vote of the rank-and-file. called predictions of moderation “absolute baloney,” and said a brief experiment with crossover primaries a few years ago didn’t seem to make the legislature more moderate. The parties worry about higher primary costs and, to their dismay, the possibility of a November ballot with two Democrats or two Republicans facing off. But the proposition nonetheless faces rough sledding, said Dan Schnur, director of the . Democrats and Republicans “are extremely talented in protecting this duopoly they’ve developed,” he said. Similarly, , must overcome opposition from powerful lobbyists. They would be tapped to the tune of $350 a year to finance secretary of state campaigns, in lieu of traditional fundraising. But at minimum, he said, the secretary of state should be free of financial taint, “the person with the best ideas and qualifications, not just the best at raising money.” Check out the and AARP California websites for more information. Rita Beamish is a freelance journalist based in San Mateo, Calif. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures