BizFed is urging businesses to support the Top‐Two Candidates Open Primary Initiative on the June 8 ballot to help ease partisan gridlock in Sacramento and get California government working again.

The measure, authored by state Senator Abel Maldonado, mirrors a successful “open primary” election system in Washington State and reforms California’s existing system that limits the ability of Decline to State (DTS) and independent voters to vote in primary elections. 

According to the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California, nearly 20 percent of California voters – more than 3 million – are DTS or independents.

All candidates’ names would appear on the same primary ballot – Republicans, Democrats, DTS and independents. All voters would be eligible to vote in the primary, regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates receiving the most votes in the primary, no matter what their party, would face off in the general election.

The measure would apply to all Congressional, statewide and legislative races. 

BizFed believes the initiative – coupled with redistricting reform already approved by voters - will increase voter participation, and broaden the voice of all voters to elect candidates representing the varied views in their districts.

Please take a moment to learn more about this measure - and VOTE on June 8.