California Democrats Seek to Change Jungle Primary System

Democrats in California have long supported the state's jungle primary system, in which all candidates compete in a single primary and the top two advance to the general election regardless of party. The system has frequently produced general-election matchups between two Democrats.

A Democratic political consultant filed a petition this week to return to a traditional system of separate primaries for each party, according to the California Post. The consultant said it was extremely scary that two Republicans might advance in the race for governor.

The possibility remains remote. It has prompted concern among Democrats because the state’s voter registration heavily favors their party. In nearly all head-to-head contests between a Democrat and a Republican in California, the Democrat wins.

The jungle primary system was intended to encourage more moderate candidates who could appeal across party lines. In practice, it has sometimes led to more candidates entering races because the threshold to reach the general election appears lower when the field is crowded. Democrats have used the system to their advantage in past cycles.

The petition seeks to restore separate primaries so that each party’s nominee would face off in the general election. Under the current system, a crowded Democratic field in the governor’s race could theoretically allow two Republicans to advance. In 2020, Democrats changed voting rules in many states to expand mail-in voting over Republican objections.

The article noted that the jungle primary has until now benefited Democrats, who are now seeking to change it when their dominance is potentially threatened.