As you likely saw in this week’s Georgia Libertarian Online and an action alertearlier this week, Tuesday could spell disaster for Californians (and the rest of the country) if they vote “Yes” on Proposition 14, aka “Top Two.” In a coordinated effort across party lines and across the country, activists are out there working to “Stop Top Two”.
From those on the front lines fighting Proposition 14, a description of the proposition and what it means for Californians:
Proposition 14, also known as a Top Two election system and mistakenly called an “open primary”, would abolish our current party primary elections and replace it with a free for all June election to pick the top two candidates for the November election. Only two candidates will appear on the November ballot, even two candidates from the same party, and write-in candidates will no longer be allowed.
Presently during the June election, voters affiliated with one of the ballot qualified parties choose their party’s candidate for the November election. Currently in the November election each party’s candidates competes against each other along with any independents, giving voters more than two choices along with the write-in option.
Proposition 14 turns the current system upside down. All voters would get the same ballot in the June election. Voters would choose one candidate from every candidate running from every party. Similar to the free for all California saw when Arnold was first elected; all candidates from all the parties would compete together in the free for all June election. The top two vote getters, even if both of them get less than 10% and they are from the same party, would advance to the November election.
Proposition 14 forbids voters from write-in candidates for the November election, so if Top Two passes California voters will no longer have more than two choices in the November election; except for the Presidential race.
To assist a variety of organizations against this proposition that limits voter choice, The Libertarian National Committee has asked Libertarians across the nation to do what they can to prevent this liberty-limiting proposition from passing. In this effort, Region 1 LNC Representative, Stewart Flood, has included this initiative to his Liberty Manager program, where Libertarians and other freedom lovers can participate in active calling to California residents, urging them to vote AGAINST Proposition 14 as part of an effort to “Stop Top Two.”
Please sign up to make calls over the next few days to Californians. The system could not be easier:
Sign up at Liberty Manager
Under “Optional Information” enter “prop14” in the first field
Submit
While you await your registration confirmation, take a look at this video for some training about how to make calls.
This effort is not just phone calls to voters, but an active, aggressive campaign that includes, among other things, this radio ad.
Take this opportunity to prevent the passage of Proposition 14 on Tuesday, June 8th.
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