Non-Partisan Open Primaries

Why must government move at a snail’s pace, if at all?  Why do politicians fight with such ferocity over insignificant minutiae, generating vicious cycles of resentment and retaliation in capitols the nation over?  Why does so-called “bipartisanship” fail time and again?

One reason relates to the prevailing two-party primary regime.  The American primary system, writes Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter, “pushes candidates in both parties to the extremes, which polarizes the debate in ways that don’t reflect the centrist views of a vast majority of Americans.”  Under the current process (including California’s), in order to win the primary each candidate must appeal only to party loyalists — the “base” – with little, if any, incentive to reach out to others.  Accordingly, in the general election voters are typically saddled with a false choice between ideologues at polar extremes, one of whom inevitably gets elected.

Backed by Governor Schwarzenegger, the open primary initiative that will be on the California ballot in Spring 2010, could help solve the problem in California.  While some commentators quibble with the manner in which the initiative came to pass (one lawmaker, Sen. Abel Maldonado, insisted on its inclusion in the state budget in exchange for his impasse-breaking vote), it is actually a silver lining to a budget bill that’s otherwise hard not to hate.

Under the initiative, there would be one primary in which all candidates for a given office (other than President) would run.  The two candidates who garner the most votes in the primary, irrespective of party, would compete in a general election.  It’s a system that puts Democracy before party dogma. Open primaries would force candidates to appeal to voters across the spectrum, rather than only those belonging to their party.  The reform would produce more moderate, pragmatic candidates with a broader base of support, and would ultimately reduce wasteful gridlock in Sacramento by narrowing the ideological extremes.

Party loyalists in Sacramento, Democrat and Republican, claim to oppose the initiative, though many voted for it.  But it’s hardly surprising that partisan incumbents would prefer the status quo primary regime. In putting people before political parties, the new system would threaten the future viability of many incumbents.  That could be bad for their careers.  But it’s good for our Democracy.

The open primary initiative will be on the statewide California ballot in Spring 2010.  Vote for it, call your representative about it.  Ask us about it.

For an analysis of how open primaries would help independents, and is preferable to instant run-off, you might read this essay. 

Aaron T. Knapp

Executive Director

Center for a Postpartisan America

postpartisanamerica.org