Proposition 140 is the “open” primary. All candidates appear on a single ballot and the number of candidates to advance is based on what the Legislature determines. The winner must have more than 50% of the votes otherwise a second vote is taken (two-round system). It uses a ranked choice system, the candidate with the most first-preference votes is declared the winner (50% +1), if there is no majority vote getter, first-choice candidates with the fewest votes are re-evaluated based on second choice and so on until a candidate wins an outright majority. Compare this convoluted mess to our current system where the candidate with the most votes for each party moves on to the general election. A vote for 140 favors not just the independents but also the Republicans because they control the Legislature. Do we really want the AZ Legislature involved? I can only imagine what a mess that will create. 140 is poorly written and fraught with trouble. Vote no.
Richard Harper
Northeast side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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