Chamness for Congress Message

By Michael T. Chamness

Candidate statement - March 2011

Think about that for a moment. That, in a word, is absurd. And thanks to Senate Bill 6 and Proposition 14, it's the new law of the land. It's also one of the primary reasons I am running in this election - to help build awareness and a legal case to drastically modify SB 6 and Proposition 14, otherwise known as California's new "top-two primary" law.

I admit it ain't sexy, but it's necessary. The laws dramatically limit voter choice and candidate's rights. Because of this new set of laws, third-party candidates from parties without ballot access are forbidden from listing their party affiliation on the ballot. I'm officially registered with the Coffee Party, a minor (i.e., non-state-recognized) party. However, the current law forces candidates to say they have "no party preference." In stark contrast, Democratic and Republican candidates are free to state their party's name on the ballot. Bottom line, SB 6 forces minor-party candidates to lie to voters and does them a grave disservice. And that needs to change.

Another troubling dictate of SB 6 is that it mandates that all write-in votes cast "at the general election shall not be counted." As such, SB 6 would have robbed a duly elected write-in candidate such as Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski of a victory, as all votes cast for her would have been tossed out. A little closer to home here in California, write-in candidate Donna Frye nearly won the San Diego mayoral election in 2004. In the interests of preserving the intent of the voters, this provision of SB 6 must be overturned.

So I ask for your vote, but realize it's a long shot. However, should the coffee gods serve up a bit of election magic and victory is had, I would work tirelessly to brew up better government, put a lid on wasteful spending, find common ground between our electorate, and fight to see the average citizen has the opportunity to run for office and stir things up a bit in US Congress.

Thank you.