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.
CA 2024 Election
In 2010, California voters took the first step in empowering every California voter by abolishing party-controlled closed partisan primaries in favor of open nonpartisan primaries that advance the top two vote-getters to the November election.
The California primaries are coming up fast. On March 5, Super Tuesday, Californians will go to the polls, but while much of the nation's attention will be on the presidential contest, voters will participate in nonpartisan primaries for all non-presidential races in the state.
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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.
California's primary elections will take place on March 5, 2024. While every state, legislative, and non-presidential federal election will be accessible to all voters, a voter's choices in the presidential primaries will be limited based on their party registration.
California is gearing up for the 2024 presidential primaries scheduled for Super Tuesday on March 5. However, California's semi-closed rules and regulations leave millions of voters confused every election cycle. Here's everything you need to know about these elections.