Both political parties opposed it vigorously, but voters responded to arguments that Proposition 14 would help reduce partisan rancor in the legislature, and approved the measure 54.2 percent to 45.8 percent. Passage means that in the 2012 primary elections, all voters can vote for all candidates, and the top two vote-getters will move forward to the November ballot. In some districts (like Northern San Diego County), that will mean the general election could be between two members of the same party. A similar measure failed 54 percent to 46 percent in 2004, but voters seem to have changed their minds.

The state party organizations are considering a lawsuit to challenge the measure. See details in the CapitolAlert blog of The Sacramento Bee, June 9, 2010.

Read a discussion of the measure in The New York Times, June 9, 2010.

UPDATE: Experts split on effects of open primary, The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 10, 2010.