Coordinating Committee Minutes, on-line vote, February 17-19

Subject/Title: Emergency Proposal Regarding 3Party Coalition - Prop14

Co-sponsors: Rich Zitola, Alex Shantz

 

Background and Purpose:  Representatives from three minor parties (Green, Libertarian, and Peace and Freedom) have been working closely to advance legislation to mitigate the negative impact that Prop14 (a.k.a. the Top-Two Primary) has had on third parties in California.  We are now at a critical point in the process, and the three representatives of GPCA, Mike Feinstein, Alex Shantz, and Rich Zitola, are requesting clear and definitive guidance from the CC on how to proceed during the next coalition conference call scheduled for this Wednesday at 1pm PT.

 

The 3Party coalition was given the proposed text from legislative counsel on January 8th, and additional changes have been proposed by various sources including the Secretary of State.  The options on the table can be summarized as follows:

 

STATUS QUO:  Current CA law states that in order for a minor party to qualify for inclusion it must meet one of two conditions ("tests"):

   - Party registration equal to 1% of the vote in the last gubernatorial

election

   - 2% of the vote in a general election for a statewide office

 

OPTION A (proposed text from leg counsel Jan8):

   - Party registration equal to 1/3 of 1% of all registered voters

   - 2% of the vote in a primary election for a statewide office

 

OPTION B (includes additional tests for a total of 5):

   In *addition* to the two tests in OPTION A, three more.  A party qualifies if it meets any one of these tests.

      - 2% of the vote in a presidential primary

      - 2% of the vote for president in a general election

      - 2% of the vote in a general election for statewide office

 

The question at hand is whether, and when, to accept either of the current options, to be filed by Asm. Richard Gordon by this Friday, Feb 21st. Given this short time frame this is being sent to the CC as a 48 hour vote.

 

In order to have a clear process, we have identified two distinct judgements to be made.  FIRST JUDGEMENT: if options A&B above are the only options available, should we accept this offer and say that we support this legislation.  SECOND JUDGEMENT: Are we indeed at the point where this decision must be made.  We are now seeking clarity from the CC on the FIRST JUDGEMENT.

 

It has already been stated that all parties, including GPCA, support changing the registration threshold to 1/3 of 1% of all registered voters.  There is disagreement among the coalition as to whether it is possible to avoid the 2% primary test.  Legislation that does not include the 2% test may not pass, and Asm. Gordon may be unwilling to file a bill that does not include it.  Simply stated, IF THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE 1/3 REG TEST IS TO ACCEPT THE 2% VOTE TESTS, THEN DO WE ACCEPT.

 

Proposal: If the only options available are the two identified above, then GPCA supports the following options with preference for option A:

 

OPTION A:

  - Party registration equal to 1/3 of 1% of all registered voters

- 2% of the vote in a primary election for a statewide office

 - 2% of the vote in a presidential primary

- 2% of the vote for president in a general election

- 2% of the vote in a general election for statewide office

 

OPTION B:

   - Party registration equal to 1/3 of 1% of all registered voters

   - 2% of the vote in a primary election for a statewide office

 

Implementation/Timeline/Resources: None

References: None