Chaos in California

For John, BLUF:  This article is about where I used to vote, back before I moved to Lowell.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Democrats go all-out to avoid disaster in California House races

From The Boston Globe, by Reporter Jonathan Martin (of The New York Times), 26 May 2018.

Here is the start of the article:

National Democrats, confronting political chaos across Southern California, are pouring millions of dollars into congressional races to avert a self-inflicted disaster that could undermine their chances at taking control of the House.

After months of optimism that the state’s June 5 primary would position them to pick off seven Republican-held districts in November — a substantial down payment on reclaiming the House — Democrats are now trying to ensure that they do not hurt themselves because of their unusually crowded slates of candidates.

With so many Democrats running, the party’s fear is that the vote will be splintered, allowing Republicans — who have fewer candidates — to dominate some primaries.

If you are scratching your head it is because the reporter hasn't told you about the new California Primary Rule, wherein it isn't about the Parties, but it is about picking the two highest vote getters in the Primary for a runoff in November.  The Democrats, who dominate California politics, thought it would mean two Democrats, thus squeezing out the weak sister Republicans.  Now, with too many Democrats running in some races it is possible they will split the Democratic Party vote and thus allow a couple of Republicans to emerge as the top two vote getters in the Primary.

Still confused?  If Sam and George, Republicans, are in the Republican Primary and each get about 6,000 votes, but Sally, Ted, Louise and Ed, plus Rodney and Bill, are in the Democratic Primary and they fairly evenly split some 18,000 Democrat votes (3,000 each), those Democrats don't advance to November, just the two Republicans, Sam and George.  By design, the RepublicansDemocrats are squeezed out.♠

Here is how I would have started the Article:

California Democrats, using their power in the Legislature, tried to reduce Republican Candidates through a change to Primary Election Laws.  Instead, they shot themselves in the foot.  Blame Trump.

This year the California Primaries don't advance Party winners to the General Election in November, but rather advance the top two Primary Election vote getters, regardless of Party.

Remember the old rule of thumb:

Every solution has the seeds of a new problem.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  And, in this kind of voting arrangement, it isn't really a "Party Primary", but an elimination round  Thus, John, the Government should pay for it.