Constitutional amendment (first resolution); top two primary election. (HJ635)

Introduced By

Del. Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg) with support from co-patron Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate

Description

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); top two primary election. Provides for a top two primary election for the nomination of candidates for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. All candidates for each office shall be listed on a single ballot, regardless of political party affiliation or independent status, and the two candidates receiving the highest and next highest number of votes cast for each office shall be the candidates at the general election for such office. The resolution requires that provision be made to allow votes to be cast at a top two primary election for persons other than the listed candidates, but prohibits such votes from being cast at the general election. Additionally, the resolution provides that the political parties shall not nominate candidates for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General and that the political parties do not have the right to have a preferred candidate on the ballot at the general election for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. However, the political parties will have the right to contribute to, endorse, or otherwise support a candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General in accordance withlaw. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/10/2017Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17100852D
01/10/2017Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/11/2017Assigned P & E sub: Constitutional
01/30/2017Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (4-Y 3-N)
02/08/2017Left in Privileges and Elections

Comments

Rick Sincere writes:

This bill is designed to reduce voter choices in the general election and effectively destroy minor parties (such as the Libertarian Party and the Green Party), which are already hobbled by onerous ballot-access laws.