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LOS ANGELES – California is a week away from the so-called “jungle” primary election.<\/p>\n
The top-two primary model has been in place for over a decade, but now there’s a growing effort to repeal it.<\/p>\n
“It went on the ballot, it was barely approved, and we’ve been living with it since 2012,” said Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio.<\/p>\n
He’s talking about California’s “jungle” primary model, meaning regardless of party affiliation, all candidates share one primary ballot when residents vote in the June election.<\/p>\n
The top two vote-getters will then advance to the general election in November.<\/p>\n
“It’s called a jungle primary for a reason. You have, in this case, more than 60 names on your ballot to choose from, so Republicans can vote for Democrats, Democrats can vote for Republicans,” said Maviglio.<\/p>\n
Steve says the theory of the jungle, or top-two, primary was to empower voters to have more choices and vote independently.<\/p>\n
But he argues some voters from both parties are having buyer’s remorse.<\/p>\n
He says that’s because, in this primary election in California, there’s a chance two Republican gubernatorial candidates can make it to the November ballot.<\/p>\n
“Or the other way around, now it’s more likely there will be two Democrats on the ballot, which means Republicans would have no one representing their party or values,” said Maviglio.<\/p>\n
In a crowded, high-stakes race, Steve claims the voters are the ones losing under the current primary model.<\/p>\n
It’s why he’s proposed a ballot initiative to go back to the old system, so two candidates of the same party are not duking it out in the general election.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.undothetoptwo.com\/<\/p>\n
“We’re seeing the Republican Party paying for ads for a Democratic candidate because they know that’s the weakest candidate to face in November, and vice versa. So it’s become a real game for a lot of the consultants, and it leaves voters in the dark because they don’t have anyone who really reflects their values in November,” said Maviglio.<\/p>\n
Steve says he hopes the ballot measure will appear on the 2028 general election ballot, but he adds it needs a set amount of signatures first.<\/p>\n
He said if it passes in 2028, it would go into effect in 2030.<\/p>\n
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