Category Archives: political parties

An Open Primary Amendment?

June 22, 2012, 7:57 ampolitical parties, political polarizationDan Tokaji

David Law has this post on Slate, arguing that the Constitution should be amended to mandate open primaries as a way of dealing with increased partisan polarization. I’m not holding my breath. The polarization problem is real. But would an… Continue reading

“Senate: No taxpayer cash for conventions”

June 21, 2012, 12:19 pmcampaign finance, political partiesRick Hasen

Politico: “A bipartisan push to eliminate millions of federal dollars earmarked to each party’s conventions was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate on Thursday, handing a win to critics who say taxpayer money shouldn’t be spent on orchestrated presidential nominating… Continue reading

“Top Two in California Primaries, June 2012: By the Numbers: High Rates of Invalid Ballots; Perverse Outcomes; Major Parties Dominate”

June 14, 2012, 7:39 amalternative voting systems, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

FairVote has issued this press release.

“Tea Party Tries to Sway GOP Platform”

June 12, 2012, 9:11 pmpolitical partiesRick Hasen

Roll Call: “James Bopp Jr., a prominent conservative lawyer and high-ranking Republican national committeeman, is helping tea partyers influence the official GOP 2012 platform.” The article also reports that Bopp “lost his RNC seat Friday, the result of apparent backlash… Continue reading

“California’s election reform flops”

June 11, 2012, 8:41 amcitizen commissions, political parties, political polarization, primaries, redistrictingRick Hasen

Joe Mathews wants California to be more like Wisconsin in its politics. Really. And anyone who thought top two and citizen redistricting would fundamentally transform California had expectations which were way too high.

“15 races are still unresolved after Tuesday’s primary”

June 9, 2012, 10:19 amelection administration, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

The LA Times offers this report, with the subhead: “In most of the undecided candidate contests, it’s not yet clear who finished second — a crucial position in the state’s new ‘top-two’ elections system.”

“Vargas picks opponent in race for Congress”

June 8, 2012, 6:25 pmchicanery, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

Must-read San Diego Union-Tribune article on gaming the top-two primary: “Democratic state Sen. Juan Vargas used some of the $630,000 he spent running for Congress in the primary election on an unusual but ultimately fruitful cause — direct mailers promoting… Continue reading

“California’s New Electoral Reforms: How Did They Work?”

June 8, 2012, 3:05 pmcitizen commissions, political parties, primaries, redistrictingRick Hasen

PPIC considers.

“Few centrists advance in California’s new primary system”

June 7, 2012, 9:26 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

The LA Times reports.

“California’s Nonpartisan Primary Shows Independents to Be in Short Supply”

June 6, 2012, 8:51 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

Interesting NYT analysis.

Two from Winger on Top Two

June 6, 2012, 7:38 ampolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

See How California’s Top-Two Open Primary Shrinks Voter Choice in Congressional Races in November and Independent and Minor Party Candidates Fare Poorly in California Top-Two Open Primary.

“California primary results: GOP catches a ‘top-two’ break”

June 6, 2012, 7:30 amcampaigns, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

WaPo: “House Republicans got a big break under California’s new primary system Tuesday, after Democrats failed to get a candidate into the general election for Rep. Gary Miller’s (R-Calif.) swing district.” See also New Map, New Rules Shake Up … Continue reading

“Californians to test new primary system”

June 5, 2012, 6:52 amcampaigns, political parties, primariesRick Hasen

The LA Times reports. Off to vote in a few minutes.

“Nonpartisan Primaries Face Test in California”

June 3, 2012, 8:53 pmpolitical parties, primariesRick Hasen

NYT: “This year will be the first test of a new kind of election aimed at breaking the partisan gridlock that has seized Congress and state legislatures all over the country. When the change was presented to California voters… Continue reading