CA 2024 Election

Although many in the national media and the parties are treating the 2024 presidential nomination processes as a done deal, the thing that will make this year's Super Tuesday most meaningful are the number of congressional races that will be decided in Republican and Democratic primaries across the US.

Five states are conducting congressional primaries on Tuesday, March 5: Alabama, Arkansas, California, North Carolina, and Texas. In total, this accounts for 115 congressional seats or approximately 26% of seats in the US House. This does not include US Senate races.

Eight years ago, there was a competition still in play between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton when the California primary rolled around. But, even though the Democratic Party allowed independent votes to be counted toward the selection of convention delegates, then Secretary of State Alex Padilla refused to eliminate the arcane and undemocratic barriers to voting left over from partisan primary rules more than half a century old.

Photo Credit: Matt Johnson / Flickr

 

The Libertarian Party of California (:PCA) has set the stage for a presidential forum and debate unlike anything voters are accustomed to seeing at its annual convention. Not only has the party opened its doors to independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr, but it also announced that Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein will be present during a presidential candidate panel. 

"We are excited to host Dr. Stein and Mr. Kennedy," said LPCA Chair Adam F. Malagon.

California’s ‘top-two’ nonpartisan primary creates election dynamics that are much different than you see in most states because, instead of candidates vying for the hearts and minds of their party-base -- all voters, including independent voters, can cast their vote for any candidate they choose.

That means, this March, some Democratic candidates will need votes from independent and Republican voters to advance to the general election in November.

Candidates talking to all voters may generally be a good thing.