California voting change plot to stop all-GOP governor primary

Key Points:

• California's "jungle primary" system, established by Proposition 14 in 2010 under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, allows the top two primary candidates, regardless of party, to advance to the general election, aiming to reduce partisan gridlock.
• Political consultant Steve Maviglio has filed a petition to revert to the traditional primary system, where separate party primaries determine one Republican and one Democrat for the general election, citing concerns the current system favors Democrats in the state's heavily Democratic electorate.
• Early polls for the 2026 governor’s race show two Republicans leading, raising the prospect of a general election without a Democrat on the ballot, which has not occurred since Schwarzenegger’s term ended in 2011.
• Critics of the top-two system argue it weakens political parties and limits voter choice, while supporters claim it encourages moderation; a new advocacy group, Undo the Top Two, is campaigning to restore party-based primaries.
• The California Post has sought comments from leading Republican candidates and the Governor’s office regarding the proposed change, but no official responses have been reported yet.