How not to run an election: California edition

California is a lot more than just one of 50 states. It is another country altogether — a global trendsetter in entertainment, agriculture, high tech, education, environment, innovation and creativity, with its own trade policy and foreign policy.

In many ways, California is a world leader, with one big exception: the way it handles statewide elections.

Its so-called “jungle primary” — now underway in this year’s gubernatorial election — is a monumental embarrassment. The only thing good about it is its name: “jungle” primary. Because that’s where it belongs — in the jungle, where total disorder reigns. It does not belong in civilized society, and definitely not in something so basic to democracy as electing our leaders.

In a “jungle primary,” all candidates for run against each other on the same ballot, regardless of party. The top two vote-getters — again, regardless of party — advance to the general election ballot. Which means, on the November ballot, you could have any conceivable combination: two Democrats, two Republicans, or one of each; or a Republican or Democrat and an Independent. In short, whoever survives the jungle primary reaches November.  

The result is chaos. Just look at this year’s June 2 primary for governor, where early voting is already underway. California voters have 61 candidates to choose from: 24 Democrats, 23 No Party affiliation, 12 Republicans, 1 Libertarian, and 1 Peace and Freedom member. All names are on the ballot, in no particular order, alphabetic or........

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