Featuring: Dr. Richard Barton, Unite America Institute

Hosted by John Opdycke (President of Open Primaries) & Christian Grose (Professor & Academic Director of USC Schwarzenegger Institute)

A new report from the Unite America Institute on top-two nonpartisan primaries in California finds that the reform (enacted in 2010) has had widespread positive impacts on electoral politics and governance. While the vast majority of states across the country have experienced a decline in electoral competition and a rise in polarization in recent years, California has trended in a different direction since reforming its primaries.

Analyzing the state across several criteria, the report presents evidence that the Top Two system in California has decreased polarization, improved voter participation, and increased electoral competition.

On Thursday September 21st at 2pm ET, Open Primaries will welcome the author of this groundbreaking new report–Dr. Richard Barton, to be the featured guest on our next Virtual Discussion: California’s Top Two Primary-A Successful Reform.