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Blanket Primary System

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Blanket primaries, or 'jungle primaries,' offer a unique voting system where all candidates, regardless of party, are listed together. This approach aims to reduce partisan divides and increase voter participation by providing a wider choice array. The text delves into the historical development of blanket primaries in the U.S., their constitutional challenges, and the shift to a 'top-two' system. It also explores the pros and cons, including the potential for strategic voting and the impact on third-party candidates.

Exploring the Mechanics of Blanket Primaries

A blanket primary, also known as a "jungle primary," is a unique electoral system in which all candidates for a given office, regardless of party affiliation, are listed together on a single ballot. Voters have the opportunity to select any candidate of their choice for each office, which enables a Democrat, for instance, to vote for a Republican candidate for one office and a Democratic candidate for another. This system differs from closed primaries, where only registered party members can vote for their party's candidates, and open primaries, which allow voters to choose on election day which party's primary to participate in. The blanket primary's intent is to broaden electoral participation and diminish partisan divides by offering voters a wider array of choices.
Diverse group of voters lined up outside a simple polling station with a private voting booth on a sunny day, reflecting democratic participation.

Historical Development of Blanket Primaries in the U.S.

The blanket primary system has been adopted in various iterations throughout the United States. Washington State was the first to implement a blanket primary in 1935, which did not require party registration and allowed candidates to proceed to the general election with as little as one percent of the vote. Alaska followed with a similar approach in 1947. In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 198, establishing a blanket primary system with 59.5% in favor, not 68% as previously stated. The proposition was supported by figures such as Tom Campbell, a moderate Republican, who believed it would empower moderate voters to have a greater impact on primary elections.

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00

A ______ primary, also known as a 'jungle primary,' allows voters to choose any candidate, regardless of the voter's or candidate's party.

blanket

01

First state to adopt blanket primary system

Washington State in 1935

02

Second state to adopt blanket primary system

Alaska in 1947

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