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Quirks of the Top-Two Primary

By Eric McGhee

It’s worth thinking about whether a same-party contest is really the match-up voters there would like to see.

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Test-driving California’s Election Reforms

By Eric McGhee, Daniel Krimm

In the June 2012 primary, California tested two important electoral changes: new legislative and congressional districts drawn by an independent citizens commission and a "top two" primary system. The results suggest the reforms produced some changes—in particular, more open seats and more competition. However, there was also a great deal of continuity with recent elections: most candidates endorsed by a major party and all incumbents are advancing to the fall election and partisan outcomes were broadly in line with what might have been expected under the old primary system. Over time, the reforms may produce more radical change, but the first step on the road of reform has been a small one.

blog post

Assessing the Top Two Primary

By Eric McGhee

How is the top two primary faring? There will be 22 same-party races this election cycle, similar to but slightly lower than the 25 in 2014 and 28 in 2012.

blog post

The Power of the Primary Voter

By Eric McGhee

Voters are starting to think seriously about whether or not to vote on June 3—in fact, many voters have received their vote-by-mail ballots already. And because of a recent change to California’s primary system, this decision about voting will be more important than ever.

blog post

The Election Was Hard on California Democrats, Too

By Eric McGhee, Daniel Krimm

On the surface, it would appear that California stood against a tide of Republican victories nationwide. But scratch just beneath the surface, and it turns out the state is not so different.

blog post

Three Lessons About California’s Election Reforms

By Eric McGhee, Daniel Krimm

California got its second taste of two important reforms yesterday: legislative and congressional districts drawn by an independent redistricting commission and a "top-two” primary system. How did they do this time around?

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