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California's primary system gives non-affiliated voters choice
Michael Lerma
Daily Staff Writer
Amid the confusion of open, closed and blanket primaries, California adds more to the mix by using a modified closed primary, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Web site.
According to the California Secretary of State Web site, a closed primary was in place in California until 1996. Closed primaries allow only registered members of a party to vote along party lines, the Web site said.
The open blanket primary was introduced by voters under Proposition 198 but declared unconstitutional, the Web site said. The modified closed primary, which took effect in 2001, will govern the election this March, the Web site said.
The Web site said voters registered in qualified parties are allowed to vote for the candidates in that party. Voters who choose "decline to state" will only be able to vote in non-partisan contests, the site explained, such as propositions or bond measures.
Alma Rosas, media officer for the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, said that in a modified closed primary, voters affiliated with a party will have to vote along party lines.
"A non-affiliated voter can choose among other party nominees, making the otherwise closed primary modified," Rosas said. "Democrats allow non-affiliated voters to vote for all candidates except for the county central committee. Republicans also allow votes from non-affiliates except for the county central committee and president."
Rosas said the reason for the modification was that parties decided that they wanted crossover votes to count, which are votes from non-affiliated voters.
"Because of the modification, there are 155 different ballot types, not including language differences," Rosas said. "Voter cards are processed this way so that people can only vote along party lines. Not everyone gets the same ballot."
Some students were not aware of the modified closed primary distinction.
Nathan Shaw, a graduate student in mass communications, said he believed primaries should be closed.
"It is up to the party to decide who should run," Shaw said.
Alex Vassar, president of the College Republicans Club at San Jose State University, said he was not sure if the Republican Party had an official stance on what type of primary is preferred.
"If you consider that California is more Democrat, a closed primary is a good idea," Vassar said. "If it was open, it would give voters a better chance at nominating a weak candidate."
Vassar offered the example of registered Republicans voting for the Democrat presidential nominee.
"An open primary would allow Republicans to vote for (Dennis) Kucinich or (Al) Sharpton," Vassar said. "If the California nominee votes went to Sharpton, it would have a major impact on the national election in November."
Marian Hofer, a member of the Students 4 Dean organization, said she also preferred the closed primary.
"Republicans should not decide who the Democrat nominee for president should be," Hofer said.
While Hofer said she did not speak for Howard Dean, she did say that the consensus among the Students 4 Dean members was for a closed primary.
Aurelia Figueroa, a senior majoring in political science, said after working on the New Hampshire primary, she saw the benefits of the open primary.
"After witnessing an open primary, you realize that people don't have time to re-register under another party in time to vote," Figueroa said. "The closed primary may be a little too rigid, but I also understand the benefits of a closed primary."
For Shaw, a registered "decline to state," the choice is clear.
"I am really happy with the modified closed primary because Republicans and Democrats are locked in," Shaw said. "If you're dumb enough to be aligned with a party, then you should pick from that bunch."
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