“Beware Election Reforms,” National Radio Commentary, Salem/Townhall September 13, 2016
Posted by daviddavenport in Politics, Radio Commentaries.
trackback
This is David Davenport of the Hoover Institution for Townhall.com.
A few years ago we reformed primary voting in California. Now we have open primaries, meaning you can vote for candidates of either party, and top two primaries, where the top two vote getters run in the fall general election, regardless of party. It was supposed to reduce partisanship and elect more centrist candidates.
Early research suggests it hasn’t accomplished either of its major goals but it has reduced voter choice. This fall in the race for the U.S. Senate, I can vote for Democrat A or Democrat B. No Republican survived the top two primary to run in the fall. I call my choice “Left and Lefter” because, really, it is no choice at all. A recent poll shows that half of Republicans don’t even plan to vote in the Senate race.
Elections should not just be contests between two people but between sets of ideas. Beware election reforms such as the “top two” primary that eliminate choices.
I’m David Davenport.
To listen to the audio: http://www.townhallreview.com
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
David Davenport
“Beware Election Reforms,” National Radio Commentary, Salem/Townhall September 13, 2016
Posted by daviddavenport in Politics, Radio Commentaries.trackback
This is David Davenport of the Hoover Institution for Townhall.com.
A few years ago we reformed primary voting in California. Now we have open primaries, meaning you can vote for candidates of either party, and top two primaries, where the top two vote getters run in the fall general election, regardless of party. It was supposed to reduce partisanship and elect more centrist candidates.
Early research suggests it hasn’t accomplished either of its major goals but it has reduced voter choice. This fall in the race for the U.S. Senate, I can vote for Democrat A or Democrat B. No Republican survived the top two primary to run in the fall. I call my choice “Left and Lefter” because, really, it is no choice at all. A recent poll shows that half of Republicans don’t even plan to vote in the Senate race.
Elections should not just be contests between two people but between sets of ideas. Beware election reforms such as the “top two” primary that eliminate choices.
I’m David Davenport.
To listen to the audio: http://www.townhallreview.com
Share this:
Like this:
Related