tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26340222.post6564696910756213923..comments2023-09-28T04:08:46.005-04:00Comments on The Hankster: Understanding Prop 14: It's Not About Ballot AccessNancy Hankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17428253702914703243noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26340222.post-72361700072988525502011-01-11T13:51:17.716-05:002011-01-11T13:51:17.716-05:00I don't agree with everything Richard had to s...I don't agree with everything Richard had to say in his post, as I'm certain that IndependentVoting.org, Nancy Hanks and the whole crew on New York Indies in fact do think they're doing the right thing... I just think they're very very wrong.<br /><br />And with all due respect Harry, you don't get to decide what the issue is about. It might not be about ballot access TO YOU, but it IS about ballot access to a lot of other people.<br /><br />Whether you want to admit it or not, you're throwing minor parties under the bus by supporting top two. Not only this, but its insanely hypocritical given that independents like you have been (rightfully) complaining about the two major parties strongarming independents out of the process for years. Now you're doing the same damn thing to minor party groups... you should be ashamed.<br /><br />There is no reason what so ever why top two has to be tied with open primaries, and top two systems do not necessarily give independents any more say in the process. Open primaries are clearly something we can all get behind, but adding the top two system to it cedes the moral high ground independents used to have on the issue, by using the power we're finally starting to build to muscle out the little guys, and is likely to just end up blocking independents from the general ballot as well.Solomon Kleinsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14331941231942740033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26340222.post-59102980946125740372011-01-10T12:56:02.607-05:002011-01-10T12:56:02.607-05:00In a typical non-partisan election system, the fir...In a typical non-partisan election system, the first round IS an election. A 2nd round is only held when no one gets a majority, and most of the time, there is no 2nd round. The reference to New York city's proposal (above) for non-partisan elections ought to note this.<br /><br />A top-two system for state and local elections, and in which the first round WAS an election, would be fine. Harry has never acknowledged the point that we have a federal law requiring states to hold congressional elections in November. November is when the turnout is high and voters are most interested in the campaign. Leaving minor parties out of the November campaign season is like telling same-sex couples that they can be domestic partners but can't get married to each other. The September-October-November campaign season for congressional and presidential elections is like marriage. There is no substitute. In reality, as shown by Louisiana and Washington, a top-two system eliminates minor party members from the 2nd round, if there are at least 2 major party members running. My declaration in the Washington state case examined all 775 instances and found only two exceptions. Harry has never mentioned that evidence.<br /><br />I wish Harry would make a comment about each of these particular problems with California's top-two: (1) is it good or bad that write-ins can no longer be counted in November? (2) is it good or bad that independent candidates can no longer have "independent" on the ballot next to their name? (3) is it good or bad that some party members can have a party label on the ballot, but others can't? (4) is it good or bad that Prop. 14 throws the Peace & Freedom, and Libertarian Parties, off the ballot for President? (5) is it good, or bad, that the number of signatures in lieu of the filing fee has increased from 150 signatures (for members of qualified minor parties) to 10,000 for statewide office, 3,000 for State Senate and US House, and 1,500 for Assembly?richardwingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13470637786166917187noreply@blogger.com