Voters face revamped ballots, two initiatives

WATSONVILLE — The get-out-the-vote crowd will hit the streets today, and if you're registered to vote and haven't filed your ballot by mail, keep in mind a few things when you head to the polls today.

Across the state, voters will confront a longer ballot with more choices when the enter the voting booth. It's the first statewide primary in which voter-approved political reforms are in widespread use.

A new top-two primary system applies to legislative and congressional contests, but not candidates running for U.S. president, county central committees and local offices. All candidates for a legislative or congressional office will be listed on one ballot and any voter may vote for any one candidate, regardless of party preference.

Only the top two vote-getters, regardless of their political party, will move on to the November 6 general election. The top-two system and redrawn districts are meant to blunt the influence of the two main political parties and produce more moderate candidates. Today's election will test those assumptions about legislative and congressional races.

For the complete article see the 06-05-2012 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 06-05-2012 paper.

Share on Facebook