If billionaire Mike Fernandez, succeeds, Florida would follow California into a jungle primary system, where the top two vote-getters — be they Republican, Democrat, or something else — would advance to the November general election
TALLAHASSEE — A billionaire who quit the Republican Party out of disdain for President Donald Trump is spending millions of dollars in a bid to establish a “jungle primary“ system in Florida, a move that could upend the state’s political landscape.
Fernandez said his motive is simple: The country that brought him prosperity has taken a dark turn as both parties embrace extremism and ignore the wishes of independents and third-party voters who make up nearly 28 percent of the electorate. The Fernandez measure would apply only to legislative and statewide races such as governor. Organizers drew up a separate amendment for federal races, but opted to spend their money and time on the proposal dealing with state offices.
Florida is one of nine states with a closed primary system in which voters must register as a member of a party in order to participate, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. “If this had been law in 2018, voters would have had to choose between Ron DeSantis and Adam Putnam for governor,” said Terrie Rizzo, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party. “A proposal which eliminate the chance for a Democrat to make the ballot is not democratic.”“It is a thinly veiled attempt by wealthy special interests to stifle democracy, plain and simple,” Rizzo said.
“It is nothing more than a relief act for political consultants, party insiders and lobbyists,” Gruters said. Ryan Tyson, a pollster and political consultant, said voters who don’t identify as Republican or Democrat have participated at lower turnout levels in the last few elections compared with voters affiliated with the major parties.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Piers Morgan declares he wants £5m for I'm A CelebPiers Morgan has revealed the eye-watering payment he would require to enter the celebrity jungle
Read more »
Faking Orgasms Isn’t the Real Problem—the Real Problem Is Our Limited View of What Sexual Pleasure Looks LikeI’m not convinced that fake orgasms are as bad as everyone says.
Read more »
Elizabeth Warren Is Making a Progressive Power Play“We need to transform our nation with a politics rooted in dignity and solidarity and generosity and love — not greed and division and hate and extraction and war.”
Read more »
Illinois congressman unfazed by AOC’s endorsement of his rivalRep. Dan Lipinski is shrugging off the endorsement of his liberal challenger by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Read more »
Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly are chasing Piers Morgan for I'm A Celeb jungleAnt and Dec, both 43, have been tracking down Piers for the show as they reveal they have a secret list of celebs for the show
Read more »