Nonpartisan Blanket Primary (Top Two Primary)

Nonpartisan Blanket Primary (Top Two Primary) 

This is used in Oregon and California. It is a general primary in which all candidates participate. The Top Two vote recipients in that primary contest the general election.

Nonpartisan Blanket Primary cannot be legally imposed on any candidate, regardless of whether or not that candidate is party affiliated. According to the Common Law and most basic supreme law, any candidate has the right to contest the general election provided that candidate meets the Constitutional requirements.

Political parties could volunteer for this primary as is the case in two states. However, the weaker party would not find this primary advantageous as the chances of that party not fielding their top candidate increases. The stronger party also would not find this to be advantageous as well. If their top candidate is deemed by that party to be strong enough to win the general election. why would that party risk a possible defeat in the Nonpartisan Blanket Primary? 

The only people who would benefit from are the candidates from minor parties and the non-leading fringe candidates from the major parties. They would rely on their niche supporters to make an impact in that Top Two Primary, possibly making it in the Top Two. 

However, the political parties would see their role diminish greatly with the Top Two Primary. Their members would not be needed as much to support candidates in this primary. Many of their candidates would not rely on their support for their primary campaign. After all, candidates would be actively cultivating all voters and not just the voters from that specific party. 

Nonpartisan Blanket Primary will never be adapted by a significant number of states. 



Cliff Notes Version: According to law, any eligible candidate has the right to contest the general election. This could only work if all political party candidates sign a waiver which prohibits them from contesting the general election in case he or she does not prevail in the Top Two Primary.