Restructure Primaries, rise of the moderates?

[thyme4change]

A multipartisan group is launching a ballot measure to abolish party primaries in Arizona, driven by frustration with an election system that they feel favors partisan extremists.

The Arizona Open Government Coalition wants to replace those traditional primaries, which they largely blame for what they describe as the state's extremist politics, with a single-primary system open to all voters. Under its proposal, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, would advance to the general election.

The coalition believes the new system would encourage more independent voters to participate in primaries for elections ranging from local government to Congress, as well as attract more moderate candidates who would appeal to a broader group of voters.



Read more: www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2011/08/04/20110804arizona-group-seeks-single-primary-counter-party-extremists.html#ixzz1UTOgzT8i

[thyme4change]

On the face of it, I totally agree. I would love to see this system in place. What do you think? What is the downfall that I'm missing?

[Bluerobin]

If you do not belong to my party, you have no business participating in our nomination process.

[Malarky]

So, how would candidates be chosen?
Like the playoffs? Multiple elimination rounds?

[thyme4change]

Well, no - there is a minimum to get on the primary list - a certain number of signatures, and a declaration, etc.

The two candidates with the highest number of votes would be listed on the ballot.

[Malarky]

That seems more reasonable than the current system.

[thyme4change]

I agree that neither party is really serving the middle - which is where most of the population is. I think they believe if they don't keep extreme and passionaate people in office, the other party will, and the balance becomes uneven. It is easier to be pulled across the center line if you are already standing on it, instead of standing 1 mile from it.

I like the idea - mostly because I hate both the republicans and the democrats right now, but I suspect the top 2 people would be the well publicized front runners of each party, and it wouldn't change much.

Although, I will say, we have a lot of local races where no one even puts a democrat on the ballot - just a race between a republican and a libertarian. Ah, Arizona, what a quirky little state you are.

[steff]

Although, I will say, we have a lot of local races where no one even puts a democrat on the ballot - just a race between a republican and a libertarian. Ah, Arizona, what a quirky little state you are

Happens all the time in Blood Red Georgia. Our last mayor & city council elections had no democrats listed at all. Same with the county elections. So basically, my vote isn't worth anything because I'm not a blood red right wing religious Georgian.

[Malarky]

It would be awfully nice to vote for something and someone as opposed to choosing the lesser of two evils.

[thyme4change]

We like to tease our raging democrat friends. Whenever the ballot comes out, we call them and say "We are going to vote for the liberal candidate in the following races" and then list off the ones where there is no democrat. It makes their skin crawl - and we just laugh and laugh. And then we cry because there is no balance or choice.

[steff]

Aug 8, 2011 17:24:25 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

We like to tease our raging democrat friends. Whenever the ballot comes out, we call them and say "We are going to vote for the liberal candidate in the following races" and then list off the ones where there is no democrat. It makes their skin crawl - and we just laugh and laugh. And then we cry because there is no balance or choice.

but before you "cry" about no balance.... you make sure to call and rub your friends noses in the fact that they aren't even represented..... interesting..... gotta get the jab in first....laugh and laugh and laugh, then go "oooooooooooh it's so sad".

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

And when I said Obama could be "President for Life" people laughed. Politicians are horrified that outsiders are ousting them. They have hated elections for years, and they've tried everything- Gerrymandered districts, everything they can legally get away with. Now, it's the primaries- next it'll be just too darn much trouble to have elections at all...

[thyme4change]

It's all good natured ribbing. Besides - our friends are politicians, they are working to solve it.

[mmhmm]

I hope it works, thyme. The far edge on both sides has gotten waaaaay out of hand, IMO.