Politics: Yes on Prop 14

Prop 14 changes the primary and general election system for many offices. The plan is to have a primary election where the top two advance to the general election. The idea is to make some races more competitive.

In races where there is only one competitive candidate such as a strong incumbent running for re-election, the Prop 14 system will not change the end result.

In races where there are two strong candidates and they are from different parties both would win in the primary stage and advance to the general just as happens now.

It is hard to predict how Prop 14 would effect races where there are 3 strong candidates or multiple (3+) weak candidates.

The only type of race where the proposed new system makes any difference is when there are two strong candidates and they are from the same party. Under the current system, one of those two strong candidates would be eliminated in the primary stage. In the Prop 14 system, those two candidates would advance to the general election and continue to battle for voter support. This could potentially allow for a more moderate candidate to gather additional support from voters who had supported other candidates in the first stage.

Would this be worth it?

Perhaps so.

Yes on Prop 14.