CalMatters: Change California’s election process for better representation

In 1911, California adopted the direct initiative and referendum process.

In 1913, California adopted the public primary system.

These two reforms were the greatest achievements of “the great progressive era,” long before voter-centric election reforms like “Ranked Choice Voting” have become part of the national conversation.

For the next 100 years, political insiders have tried to circumvent the voters’ pathway to direct democracy, from eliminating fusion voting to closing primaries.

In 1990, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in “Total Recall,” where he helped The Resistance declare independence on the colony of Mars.

In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger was the last governor to be elected in a California recall, winning less than 50% of the votes in an election where just 25% of eligible voters participated.

READ THE FULL OP-ED at CalMatters.