CA: Richard Winger Argues Against Prop 14

In an op-ed for the San Francisco Chronicle, Richard Winger of Ballot Access News argues against Prop 14 and the top two open primary:

Proposition 14 would end the method by which ordinary people can rebel against both major parties. "Top 2" systems have now been used in two other states, Washington and Louisiana. In both of them, the result is a November ballot with only Democrats and Republicans. Washington used a Top 2 system for the first time in 2008. For the first time since statehood, the November ballot had no minor party or independent candidates for any congressional race, or any statewide state race. Louisiana has used a Top 2 system for state office since 1975, and never has a minor party candidate qualified for the second round . . .

Prop. 14 supporters could have proposed a true open primary. That system, used in 21 states, eliminates the idea that voters register in a party. Instead, any voter is free on primary election day to choose any party's primary ballot. But each party does have its own primary ballot and its own nominees. Open primaries are constitutional, they are popular, they do not curtail voter choice in the general election, and they would solve the problems that Prop. 14 backers say they want to fix.