Green Party hails defeat of ‘limited choice' primary measure, says current system will preserve rights of voters

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS ADVISORY
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004

Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970,
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,
Sara Amir, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-270-7106,

SACRAMENTO – The apparent defeat of Prop. 62 – the limited choice Primary initiative – was hailed as a major victory for the voters in the state by the Green Party of California early Wednesday morning.

With about 70 percent of the vote counted, Prop. 62 was going down to defeat by a 54 percent to 46 percent count. Prop. 60, which would preserve the current Primary system and voters' choice, was winning 67-33 percent. Even if both measures pass the one with the most votes prevails, and Prop. 60 has a million vote lead.

Prop. 62 was sponsored by a group of wealthy businessmen, the Chamber of Commerce and California Farm Bureau. It would have effectively shut smaller parties in California out of the General Elections by allowing only the top two vote getters in a primary to qualify for the General Election. Even major parties opposed it because in some districts, two Republicans or two Democrats might wind up in the General Election.

" California voters have wisely rejected a proposal to corrupt our elections by turning them into media-driven popularity contests. Greens will continue to campaign and win by listening to voters and leading on issues that affect the quality of life of Californians, not the bottom line of corporate donors," said Santa Monica's Green Mayor pro tem Kevin McKeown.

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The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
gpca@greens.org