Comments on: Top-two primary supporters appeal to high court http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2012/08/08/arizona-top-two-primary-ballot-measure-supporters-appeal-to-high-court/ Your Inside Track to Arizona Politics Tue, 21 May 2013 18:08:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Donna Gratehouse http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2012/08/08/arizona-top-two-primary-ballot-measure-supporters-appeal-to-high-court/comment-page-1/#comment-74245 Donna Gratehouse Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:58:16 +0000 http://azcapitoltimes.com/?p=49146#comment-74245 Ruth, Top Two benefits the candidates with the most money. Proponents seem to be acting out of the misguided and frankly elitist assumption that wealthy candidates can't be extremist and that the interests of moderate and independent voters align perfectly with those of the Chamber of Commerce and business leaders. Ruth, Top Two benefits the candidates with the most money. Proponents seem to be acting out of the misguided and frankly elitist assumption that wealthy candidates can’t be extremist and that the interests of moderate and independent voters align perfectly with those of the Chamber of Commerce and business leaders.

]]> By: Ruth E. Bennett http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2012/08/08/arizona-top-two-primary-ballot-measure-supporters-appeal-to-high-court/comment-page-1/#comment-74231 Ruth E. Bennett Wed, 08 Aug 2012 23:11:31 +0000 http://azcapitoltimes.com/?p=49146#comment-74231 Having lived in Washington State under the Top-Two system, it means that a minority of voters (those voting in the primary) will decide who the majority gets to vote for. It also means the end - practically speaking - of any newer parties. In Washington, in a significant number of districts there were onlye two Republicans or just two Democrats on the ballot. This is not a way to increase voter participation. Washington State has had this system since 2006 and has gone through two cycles: 2008 and 2012. There has been no moderating of candidates or move to the center. There has been a limited choice of candidates and those supporting newer parties, like Libertarians or Greens, have no choice at all in the General Election. I pray that the Supreme Court will not allow this mess on the Arizona ballot. We just don't need it here! Having lived in Washington State under the Top-Two system, it means that a minority of voters (those voting in the primary) will decide who the majority gets to vote for.

It also means the end – practically speaking – of any newer parties. In Washington, in a significant number of districts there were onlye two Republicans or just two Democrats on the ballot. This is not a way to increase voter participation.

Washington State has had this system since 2006 and has gone through two cycles: 2008 and 2012. There has been no moderating of candidates or move to the center. There has been a limited choice of candidates and those supporting newer parties, like Libertarians or Greens, have no choice at all in the General Election.

I pray that the Supreme Court will not allow this mess on the Arizona ballot. We just don’t need it here!

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