California’s top Democrat suggests changing top-two system for governor’s race

The chair of the California Democratic Party, Rusty Hicks, is calling for a change to the state’s primary voting system in order to prevent Republicans from potentially locking out Democrats in the governor’s race. Currently, California operates under a “jungle primary” system where the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election.

Hicks believes that the current system is flawed and needs to be revised or repealed. While any changes won’t take effect in the upcoming primary, Hicks is eager to see a new structure proposed to voters as early as the end of this year. He did not provide specifics on what alternative system he would suggest.

The current primary system was approved by voters in 2010 as an electoral reform proposed by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The intention was to give moderates and pragmatists in both parties a better chance of winning. Prior to 2012, California held primaries where registered voters of each major party separately chose their candidate for the general election.

However, the open primary system has led to some unintended consequences, such as strategic gamesmanship. For example, in 2018, Gavin Newsom’s campaign for governor promoted a Republican candidate to avoid a Democrat-on-Democrat general election.

This year, Democrats in California are concerned that a crowded field of Democratic candidates could split the vote, allowing two Republican candidates to advance to the general election. Despite some Democrats surging in the polls, the fears have led Hicks to call on lower-polling Democrats to drop out.

Hicks believes that the current system requires a review, reconsideration, and possibly a repeal. While no changes will be made for the upcoming primary, the discussion around reforming the primary system is gaining traction.

In conclusion, the California Democratic Party is considering changes to the state’s primary voting system to ensure fair representation and prevent potential lockouts of Democratic candidates in future elections. The debate over the current “jungle primary” system continues, with calls for a new structure that better serves the interests of all voters.