Category Archives: political parties

“California’s major political parties feared the top-two primary but emerged as powerful as before”

June 6, 2018, 7:29 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

John Myers for LAT: Gamesmanship was everywhere. Could a feared opponent be shut out of a spot on the fall ballot? Might a political party’s leaders convince some hopefuls in crowded races to step aside and thus avoid splitting the… Continue reading

“California’s primary system flummoxes Democrats, GOP”

June 5, 2018, 6:18 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

Reid Wilson reports for The Hill.

“California’s open primaries are a cautionary tale about political reform”

June 2, 2018, 9:26 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

Dan Balz: Eight years ago, California voters approved a ballot initiative establishing a new open primary system. The new system called for primary contests in which all candidates from all parties would be listed on the same ballot. The top… Continue reading

“Democrats Go All-Out to Avoid Disaster in California House Races”

May 26, 2018, 11:47 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

NYT: With so many Democrats running, the party’s fear is that the vote will be splintered, allowing Republicans — who have fewer candidates — to dominate some primaries. The party and allied groups are spending more than $4 million on… Continue reading

“California’s ‘Top-Two’ Primary: Here’s How It All Works”

May 25, 2018, 7:59 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

NYT: It was supposed to be a cutting-edge election reform, a way to take the party out of politics: an open primary in which labels like Republican and Democratic were tossed out and candidates were chosen, presumably, on their merits.… Continue reading

“House: Democrats Risk Disaster in California’s Top Two Primaries”

May 3, 2018, 4:42 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

David Wasserman for the Cook Political Report: Republicans badly need a few lucky breaks to hold their House majority in November. So far in 2018, it’s been the opposite story — from an unfriendly new Pennsylvania map to Speaker Paul… Continue reading

“Fearing Chaos, National Democrats Plunge Into Midterm Primary Fights”

April 22, 2018, 9:00 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

Alex Burns in the NYT: But in some areas, Democratic leaders have concluded it is worth enduring backlash to help a prized recruit or tame a chaotic primary field. They are moving most aggressively in California, where the state’s … Continue reading

“California’s free-for-all primary election rules could surprise everyone in 2018 … again”

March 19, 2018, 8:20 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

John Myers for the LAT: The California primary that’s now less than three months away promises to be the system’s most important test, and possibly its most controversial. Although Democrats have largely consolidated their power behind just a few formidable… Continue reading

“No Republican candidates on the Utah ballot this year? It’s a possibility after planned fix falters.”

March 11, 2018, 11:52 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

“Democrats take first step toward curtailing superdelegates”

March 10, 2018, 7:05 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

In Case with Potential National Implications, Federal Court Strikes Political Party Ballot Qualifications Requirements in South Dakota

February 28, 2018, 9:04 amballot access, political parties, third partiesRick Hasen

Richard Winger: The opinion says that the March 27 petition deadline is too early, especially given winter weather in South Dakota. It also says the 2.5% (of the last gubernatorial vote) is also too high, given the historical record of… Continue reading

“California Democrats agree they have too many candidates for Congress. What to do about them is the problem”

February 26, 2018, 2:54 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

LAT: There are so many Democrats running for Congress in some districts that they could split the votes in the June 5 primary and send two Republicans to the November election, thanks to California’s top-two primary system. Democrats need 24… Continue reading

“Judges Say Throw Out the Map. Lawmakers Say Throw Out the Judges.”

February 14, 2018, 1:49 pmjudicial elections, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

NYT: In Pennsylvania, a Republican lawmaker unhappy with a State Supreme Court ruling on gerrymandering wants to impeach the Democratic justices who authored it. In Iowa, a running dispute over allowing firearms in courthouses has prompted bills by Republican sponsors… Continue reading