California Proposition 62 (2004)

Proposition 62 was a proposition in the state of California on the November 2, 2004 ballot. It failed to pass with 5,119,155 (46.1%) votes in favor and 5,968,770 (53.9%) against.

It was an initiative constitutional amendment and statute that provided for a "modified blanket" primary election system like that used in the state of Louisiana. It was officially known as the "Voter Choice Open Primary Act". Instead of traditional partisan primaries for statewide offices, voters would have been allowed to vote for any candidate in a primary election regardless of the political affiliation of the voter or candidates. The two candidates with the most votes (regardless of party or lack thereof) would later appear on the general election ballot.

Proposition 62 would have affected elections to the following offices:
*California offices:
**Governor
**Lieutenant Governor
**Attorney General
**Insurance Commissioner,
**Controller
**Secretary of State
**Treasurer
**Member of the State Legislature
**Member of the Board of Equalization
*Federal offices:
**Member of the United States House of Representatives
**Member of the United States Senate

Proposition 62 exempted U.S. presidential nominations.

The provisions of Proposition 62 conflicted with those of Proposition 60, which essentially re-affirmed the existing partisan primary system. 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. (Since Prop. 60 passed and 62 did not, the issue was moot.)

Official summary

* Requires primary elections where all voters may vote for any state or federal candidate regardless of how a voter or candidate is registered.
* Exempts presidential nominations and elections of party central committees.
* Only the two primary-election candidates receiving most votes for an office, whether they are candidates with "no party" or members of same or different party, would be listed on general election ballot.
* In special primary election, candidate receiving majority vote is elected.
* Requires political party's consent for identification of candidates' party registration on ballot and in other official election publications.

Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
* No significant net fiscal effect on state and local governments.

See also

List of California ballot propositions 2000-present

External links

* [http://www.voterguide.ss.ca.gov/propositions/prop62-title.htm Voter Information Guide with text of Proposition 62]