(February 22, 2010) California Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allan Zaremberg has signed the ballot argument in support of Proposition 14, the California Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act on the June ballot.

The CalChamber Board of Directors voted to support the measure because members believe it will increase voter participation and empowers Californians in all state legislative districts to elect candidates who represent the broadest views in their district.

Joining Zaremberg in signing the pro-Proposition 14 ballot arguments are Jeannine English, California State President of the AARP, and James Earp, executive director of the California Alliance for Jobs.

Following is the text of the ballot arguments:

Yes on Prop. 14 Ballot Argument

Our economy is in crisis.

Unemployment in California is over 12 percent.

The Legislature, whose members were all elected under the current rules, repeatedly fails to pass the state budget on time, or close the state’s gaping $20+ billion fiscal deficit.

Our state government is broken.

But the politicians would rather stick to their rigid partisan positions and appease the special interests than work together to solve California’s problems.

In order to change government we need to change the kind of people we send to the Capitol to represent us.

IT’S TIME TO END THE BICKERING AND GRIDLOCK AND FIX THE SYSTEM.

The politicians won’t do it, but Proposition 14 will.

• Proposition 14 will open up primary elections. You will be able to vote for any candidate you wish for state and congressional offices, regardless of political party preference. It will reduce the gridlock by electing the best candidates.
• Proposition 14 will give independent voters an equal voice in primary elections.
• Proposition 14 will help elect more practical office-holders who are more open to compromise. "The best part of the open primary is that it would lessen the influence of the major parties, which are now under control of the special interests.” (Fresno Bee, 2/22/09.)

PARTISANSHIP IS RUNNING OUR STATE INTO THE GROUND.

Non-partisan measures like Proposition 14 will push our elected officials to begin working together for the common good.

Join AARP, the California Alliance for Jobs, the California Chamber of Commerce and many Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters who want to fix our broken government. Vote YES on Proposition 14.

Vote Yes on 14 — for elected representatives who are LESS PARTISAN and MORE PRACTICAL.