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State of California June 8, 2010 Election
Proposition 14
Elections. Increases Right to Participate in Primary Elections
State of California

Legislative Constitutional Amendment - Put on the Ballot by the Legislature - Majority Approval Required

Pass: 2,760,477 / 53.6% Yes votes ...... 2,387,356 / 46.4% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Results as of Jun 29 4:19pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (22894/22894)
Information shown below: Summary | Fiscal Impact | Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Should the California Constitution be amended to require that all candidates for statewide or congressional office run in a single primary open to all registered voters, with only the top two vote-getters, regardless of their political party preference, advancing to the general election?

Summary Prepared by the State Attorney General:
Changes the primary election process for congressional, statewide, and legislative races. Allows all voters to choose any candidate regardless of the candidate's or voter's political party preference. Ensures that the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will appear on the general election ballot regardless of party preference.

Fiscal Impact from the Legislative Analyst:
No significant net change in state and local government costs to administer elections.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote on this measure means:
All voters would receive the same primary election ballot for most state and federal offices. Only the two candidates with the most votes--regardless of political party identification--would advance to the general election ballot.

A NO vote on this measure means:
Voters would continue to receive primary election ballots based on their political party. The candidate with the most votes from each political party would continue to advance to the general election ballot.

Impartial Analysis from the Legislative Analyst

Background

Primary and General Elections. California generally holds two statewide elections in even-numbered years to elect candidates to state and federal offices--a primary election (in June) and a general election (in November). These elections (such as those for Governor and Members of Congress) are partisan, which means that most candidates are associated with a political party. For these partisan offices, the results of a primary election determine each party's nominee for the office. The candidate receiving the most votes in a party primary election is that party's nominee for the general election. In the general election, voters choose among all of the parties' nominees, as well as any independent candidates. (Independent candidates--those not associated with a party--do not participate in primary elections.) The winner of the general election then serves a term in that office.

Ballot Materials Under Current Primary System. For every primary election, each county prepares a ballot and related materials for each political party. Those voters affiliated with political parties receive their party's ballot. These party ballots include partisan offices, nonpartisan offices, and propositions. Voters with no party affiliation receive ballots related only to nonpartisan offices and propositions. Parties, however, may allow voters with no party affiliation to receive their party's ballot.

Partisan Statewide Elections in California. Partisan elections for state office include those for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Controller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, Attorney General, the 120 members of the Legislature, and four members of the State Board of Equalization. (The Superintendent of Public Instruction is a nonpartisan state office.) Partisan elections also are held for federal offices including President, Vice President, and Members of Congress.

Proposal

This measure, which amends the State Constitution, changes the election process for most state and federal offices. Its provisions and related legislation would take effect for elections after January 1, 2011.

Creates a Top-Two Primary Election. This measure creates a single ballot for primary elections for those congressional and state elective offices shown in Figure 1. Candidates would indicate for the ballot either their political party (the party chosen on their voter registration) or no party preference. All candidates would be listed--including independent candidates, who now would appear on the primary ballot. Each voter would cast his or her vote using this single primary ballot. A voter registered with the Republican Party, for example, would be able to vote in the primary election for a candidate registered as a Democrat, a candidate registered as a Republican, or any other candidate. The two candidates with the highest number of votes in the primary election--regardless of their party preference--would advance to compete in the general election. In fact, the two candidates in the general election could have the same party preference.

Figure 1 -- Offices Affected by Proposition 14

Statewide Officials
  • Governor
  • Lieutenant Governor
  • Secretary of State
  • Treasurer
  • Controller
  • Insurance Commissioner
  • Attorney General
Other State Officials
  • State Senators
  • State Assembly Members
  • State Board of Equalization Members
Congressional Officials
  • United States Senators
  • Members of the U.S. House of Representatives

Figure 2 illustrates how a ballot for an office might appear if voters approve this measure and shows how this is different from the current system. Click here to view

Does Not Affect Presidential Elections and Political Party Leadership Positions. Under this measure, there would still be partisan primary elections for presidential candidates and political party offices (including party central committees, party officials, and presidential delegates).

Fiscal Effects

Minor Costs and Savings. This measure would change how elections officials prepare, print, and mail ballot materials. In some cases, these changes could increase these state and county costs. For instance, under this measure, all candidates--regardless of their party preference--would be listed on each primary election ballot. This would make these ballots longer. In other cases, the measure would reduce election costs. For example, by eliminating in some instances the need to prepare different primary ballots for each political party, counties sometimes would realize savings. For general election ballots, the measure would reduce the number of candidates (by only having the two candidates who received the most votes from the primary election on the ballot). This would make these ballots shorter. The direct costs and savings resulting from this measure would be relatively minor and would tend to offset each other. Accordingly, we estimate that the measure's fiscal effects would not be significant for state and local governments.

Indirect Fiscal Effects Impossible to Estimate. In some cases, this measure would result in different individuals being elected to offices than under current law. Different officeholders would make different decisions about state and local government spending and revenues. These indirect fiscal effects of the measure are unknown and impossible to estimate.

Arguments Submitted to the Secretary of State

Summary of Arguments FOR Proposition 14:
A YES vote means YOU will be able to vote for any candidate you wish for state and congressional offices, regardless of political party preference. Experts say non-partisan measures like Proposition 14 will result in elected representatives in Sacramento and Washington who are LESS PARTISAN and MORE PRACTICAL.

Summary of Arguments AGAINST Proposition 14:
The politicians behind Proposition 14 included a deceptive provision, that won't make primaries "Open" at all. Candidates will no longer be required to list their party affiliation on the ballot. They want to look like "independents" while they actually remain in their political party. Business as usual disguised as "reform."
Contact FOR Proposition 14:
YES ON 14-Californians For An Open Primary
info@yeson14openprimary.com
http://www.yeson14openprimary.com

Contact AGAINST Proposition 14:
California School Employees' Association
2045 Lundy Ave.
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 473-1000

  What is Prop 14?

Video Overview

League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
  • Pros and Cons - - a nonpartisan explanation of this state proposition, with supporting and opposing arguments. Also available in Spanish (PDF)
  • Easy Voter Guide - - brief summary of this state proposition
Public Radio Debate/Discussion Campaign Finance Data

Secretary of State

Official Voter Information Guide

Secretary of State

Legislative Analyst's Office Additional Information

From Other Organizations

Partisan Information

For

Against Message to News Reporters

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