Proposition 14 would Greatly Reduce Voters’ Choices in the Much Larger, Much More Important General Election!
In 2003, we had an election similar to what Prop 14 proposes. There were 135 candidates on the ballot plus 28 qualified write-in candidates for one office, Governor. Under Prop 14 general election write-in votes would no longer be counted. No runoff election was allowed in 2003. Under Prop 14, a runoff election would be required even if a candidate had received a majority vote in the primary.
If passed, Proposition 14 would cost the taxpayers more money to run the primary election because there would be more ballot cards to print and mail and more money would be needed for the extra hours worked. This blanket primary would also cost candidates more money because they would need to reach twice as many voters. The candidates would either need to have deep pockets or be beholding to someone with deep pockets.
More importantly however, Proposition 14 would also dramatically change the way that general elections are held. It would limit voters’ choices to only two. General elections are more important, no they are much more important than primary elections, because general elections are where the final decisions are made on who gets elected. General elections are also much larger elections as to the numbers of voters who turn out and vote. So, why would anyone support Proposition 14, that proponents say may improve, if indeed you think this is an improvement, the smaller, less significant primary election when it reduces voters’ choices in the much larger, much more important general election? Prop 14 would reduce voters’ choices from six candidates, maybe seven if an independent candidate also qualifies, who are on general election ballots to only two candidates. Independent candidates would no longer be allowed to qualify for the much larger, much more important general election ballots. It would be highly unlikely that a candidate of one of the smaller parties would make the much larger, much more important general election ballots. Write-in votes in general elections would no longer be counted. Do not limit your choices in the much larger, much more important general elections.
On June 8, 2021 - Vote No on Prop 14!
