HJR 201 – Refers to voters a change to the state Constitution. Requires the names of all candidates to be listed on a single ballot for a primary election ballot. Provides that a registered elector in this state may not be denied the right to vote in any primary election in this state solely because that elector is registered as unaffiliated with any political party. Permits a political party to decline to participate in a primary election, subject to certain requirements. Designates a minor political party.

The proposal would replace the current system with one similar to those used in California and Washington, with the goal of giving unaffiliated voters a greater voice in primary elections. Or does it? Political parties can opt out and nominate their own candidates separately. What major party wouldn’t optout? That will leave the minor parties and eliminate all minor party candidates and unaffiliated candidates from the general election except the top two.

EMAIL LEGISLATORS

Primary Election Vote Counting:

• The two candidates receiving the most votes for each office advance to the general election (top-two system)
• Exception: Law may provide for advancing more than two candidates for certain offices
• This applies regardless of candidates’ political party affiliations
• Cripples minority parties from having a candidate on the general election ballot.

This bill will specifically discriminate against all NAV voters. NAV are 37% of all voters. All other candidates can get to the General Election by being the choice of their party not the NAV voters. NAVs can only get there by finishing high enough in this single ballot primary. Ideally, the process needs to be equal and fair for all candidates and parties and non-parties. That isn’t even possible in this bill.

The fundamental purpose of the Primary election is to decrease the number of candidates from majority parties that can move on to the General Election. If all parties participated, there would oly be two candidates on the general election ballot. The bill reverses the balloting process, making discrimination in the general election a possiility if two in the same party were the top two.