Whereas, the purpose of the “Top Two” primary was to create a larger voter turnout in primaries, and
Whereas, per the Sectary of State office in 2004 the primary turnout was 44%, in 06 it was 33%, in 08 it was 28%, in 2010 it was 33%, in 2012 it was 31%, according to the Secretary of State the 2014 primary turnout was 25.2%., and
Whereas, we were told Prop. 14 had as its purpose to increase the vote, instead it has become a vote suppressor, and
Whereas, due to the “Top Two” only three third party candidates were on the November, 2014 ballot—out of 150 legislative races, in fact the American Independent Party knowing it could not get on the November ballot, stopped running candidates, and
Whereas, in 2012 there were 28 legislative seats that had only one Party on the November ballot, and
Whereas, in November there were 25 legislative seats with only one Party on the ballot, three seats with a Democrat vs. Non partisan (No Republican was willing to run, plus eleven seats where only the incumbent run—unopposed, and
Whereas, in the November 2014 election in the 39th Assembly District with only one party on the ballot there was a 22% turnout, while in 2012, with the Republican and Democrat parties have preferenced candidates on the ballot there was a 56% turnout, and
Whereas ,Prop. 14, the “Top Two has resulted in third Parties not running candidates and no third parties on the November ballot, a large number of legislative seats with one party rule and contrary to the goal, fewer people turning out to vote,
Therefore be it resolved by the California Republican Party at convention in Los Angeles, that the Party promote a ballot measure to repeal Prop. 14 and again give reason to voters to participate in primary elections, bring open discussion and debate to both the June and November elections and to show we are the Party that does not suppress the vote.
Submitted by:
Stephen Frank, Simi Valley, CA
California Republican Party Delegate
