One subject that voters overwhelmingly agreed upon, across party, race, age and geography, was their support for the open-primary measure on the June ballot. If Proposition 14 is approved, candidates from all parties would run during a primary open to all registered voters, and the top two vote-getters would battle it out in the general election.
A similar measure was approved by the state's voters several years ago but was struck down in court. This time, the measure has been tailored to meet legal objections. The state's major political parties are against the measure, but unlike previous times the idea has been up for a vote, they have not spent significant funds opposing it.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday, June 01, 2010 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 News Desk 1 inches; 56 words Type of Material: Correction
Los Angeles Times/USC poll: An article in Monday's Section A about California voters' opinions on Arizona's anti-illegal immigration law did not fully describe the measure. The article said the law compels police to determine the status of people they suspect are illegal immigrants. The law applies only to people whom police have stopped for another reason.
About 52% of voters support the measure, while 28% oppose it. Support is particularly high among voters who declined to align with a political party, such as Cheryl Santos, a 47-year-old market researcher from Los Altos in Santa Clara County.
The current system results in extremists winning party nominations and leads to a "paralyzing" partisanship in Sacramento, Santos said. That partisanship has led to the state's inability to deal with its fiscal crises, she added.
"Both sides are just digging in. No one compromises on anything anymore," she said. "It will help make the candidates more moderate."
Those who oppose Proposition 14 note that the current primary system ensures that each party is represented in the general election. If Proposition 14 passes, the Democrats' voting edge in California would mean that other parties will lose their voice, said Roberta Houston of San Diego.
"We'd have two Democrats running against each other," said the 70-year-old Republican and retired teacher. "It's absolutely ridiculous."
seema.mehta@latimes.com
