At a time of broken politics and polarization, the impulse to seek out reforms to the political process is understandable. California, which will hold important primary elections on Tuesday, offers a cautionary tale about how good intentions alone are not enough.
Eight years ago, California voters approved a ballot initiative establishing a new open primary system. …
Proponents claimed the open primaries would do three things: give voters more choices, boost turnout in primary campaigns, and, most importantly, lead to the election of more moderate Democrats and more moderate Republicans. What they didn’t not anticipate was that American politics would become even more deeply polarized over the next eight years. CONT.
Dan Balz, Washington Post