Disgruntled California voters have blown up their election system by approving Proposition 14, which tosses out the current political party-based primary system in all but presidential races.

With 48 percent of precincts statewide reported, the measure was ahead with 57 percent of voters in favor of it and 43 percent against.

Although results were not official, California’s main and minor political parties were already talking about a strategy to file a lawsuit against Proposition 14, Cres Velluci, Green Party state press secretary, said late Tuesday night.

Backed strongly by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Proposition 14 calls for a new “open” primary, in which all candidates for an office – except those in presidential primaries – appear on a ballot given to voters regardless of party registration.

Under the system — which Washington state has already adopted — the top-two vote getters who emerge from a primary square off in a general election, even if they are from the same political party.

Top Seven Reasons to vote NO on Proposition 14

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By Bryan Blum
California Labor Federation

With less than a week left until the June 8 election day, we’re counting down the top seven reasons to vote NO on Proposition 14, the Top Two Primaries Act that will require that all candidates run in a single primary open to all registered voters regardless of party affiliation, with the top two vote-getters meeting in a runoff.
7. Third parties would be wiped out.

Prop. 14 restricts voter choice by effectively blocking third party candidates from moving to the general election ballot. If you’re a member of the Green Party, American Independent, or Peace and Freedom party, there’s virtually no chance you can vote for your party’s candidate in a general election.

6. More Democrat vs. Democrat and Republican vs. Republican general elections.

Rather than increasing voter choice as its proponents claim, Prop. 14 will mean voters have fewer options when it comes to the general election. That’s why both Democrats and Republicans agree on something — Prop. 14 is bad policy for California voters.

5. Higher costs for taxpayers.

Prop. 14 costs more. If two candidates of the same party advance to the general election, taxpayers are paying to run the same electoral contest twice.

4. It eliminates write-in candidates.
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Designated candidates of the Green Party of NY State: Governor of New York State: Howie Hawkins Lieutenant Governor of New York State: Gloria Mattera Comptroller of New York State: Julia Willebrand U.S. Senate: Cecile Lawrence U.S. Senate: Colia Clark Other candidates petitioning to be on the Green Party Ballot. US Congress from the 13th district: Hank Bardel US Congress from the [...]

[From: The Legislative Gazette]

By Sarah L. Evans

Green Party activist Howie Hawkins declared he will be running for governor during a visit to Albany last week. Hawkins so far is the only contender for the Green Party’s nomination. On May 15, during the party’s statewide convention, an official announcement of the party’s ticket will be unveiled.

According to Peter LaVenia, co-chair of the Green Party of New York State, it’s likely that Hawkins will win the nomination. If Hawkins is able to garner 50,000 votes during the gubernatorial vote, the party will be able to have an official ballot line, which is a goal of the campaign. 

Hawkins’ campaign slogan, “Tax Wall Street, Not Main Street,” echoes the sentiments of the party, which shuns corporate funding and aims for a more grassroots support base. 

“We see the basic issue in this campaign as whether our state government is going to be for the people or continue to serve the super rich and the giant corporations and whether it is going to represent main street and Martin Luther King Boulevard or continue to represent Wall Street,” said Hawkins. “And we are running because we are on the side of the people.”

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