California’s Proposition 14 otherwise known as Top Two passed lasted night despite opposition from ALL parties large and small. Even though only half the votes have been counted the 300+ thousand lead is unlikely to be reversed.
Christina Tobin spoke on this matter before the Libertarian National Convention. I encourage everyone to study the California Voters Guide at
http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/14/
this is an issue that will directly effect all voters. The national party donated several thousands of dollars and pulled out all the stops to help Tobin
( see www.stoptoptwo.org)
and other related organizations. While that effort and similar ones from across the political spectrum including ultra lefties like Ralph Nader and all the mainstream parties including Democrats and Republicans may have helped reduce the margin the power of this proposal is just too strong. Richard Winger is arguably the most revered ballot access expert in the nation and Christina comes in a close second. Their organizations COFOE and Free and Equal represent the whose who on that issue and I generally agree with them on most things. Also officially the Libertarian Party opposes blanket primaries – for the same reason as Democrats and Republicans – because it diminishes the power of parties.
On this one – Proposition 14 (Top Two) – I personally think they have it wrong.
Just like Arkansas, California had a quasi-public joke called a Partisan Primary where supposedly the People choose their candidates. Nothing could be further from the truth which is that these are contests where the Parties choose THEIR nominees and all letting the people in does is legitimize the farce. Parties are and SHOULD be private organizations entirely separate and independent from government. Reading the applicable section of the Arkansas Constitution (Article 3 Para 2. Right of suffrage)
“Elections shall be free and equal. No power, civil or military, shall ever interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage; nor shall any law be enacted, whereby the right to vote at any election shall be made to depend upon any previous registration of the elector’s name; or whereby such right shall be impaired or forfeited, except for the commission of a felony at common law, upon lawful conviction thereof.”
makes it clear that at least in Arkansas giving government, parties or anyone else the power to so much as interfere much less prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage (to vote for YOUR not someone else’s choice!) is wrong.
Just in case someone missed the point the next sentence says “nor shall any law be enacted whereby the right to vote … depends on previous registration.” Hmmm lets see, if I vote in the Democratic primary then I CANNOT vote in the Republican runoff. Sounds like that makes my second “right to vote” depend upon my previous registration which is clearly unconsitutional!
So today’s questions are:
Did Gerhard get this one wrong?
What can and should we (The ArLP) do about this?
I breathlessly await your – in – or is that de – finite wisdom along with reasoned suggests on who and how we will lead this on going battle.
