California Proposition 60 (2004)

Proposition 60 was a proposition in the state of California on the November 2, 2004 ballot. It passed with 7,227,433 (67.6%) votes in favor and 3,478,774 (32.4%) against. It was a legislative constitutional amendment intended to codify in the California Constitution the existing process of partisan primary elections for statewide offices. It was approved for the ballot by the California Assembly by a vote of 55-21 and by the California State Senate by a vote of 28-3.

The proposition conflicted with the provisions of Proposition 62 on the same ballot, which provided for a "modified blanket" primary system like that used in the state of Louisiana. The California Constitution provides that if the provisions of two approved propositions are in conflict, only the provisions of the measure with the higher number of "yes" votes at the statewide election take effect. (Prop. 62 did not pass, so the issue was moot.)

The proposition originally contained additional provisions regarding surplus state property. In a court decision in July 2004, these portions were transferred to a separate ballot measure, Proposition 60A.

Official summary

* Provides the right for political party participating in a primary election for partisan office to also participate in the general election for that office.
* Candidate receiving most votes from among that party's candidates in primary election for state partisan office cannot be denied placement on general election ballot.

Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
* No fiscal effect.