Overview
- Steven Maviglio filed the “Undo the Top Two” initiative on Friday, proposing to end California’s nonpartisan primary that sends the top two finishers to November regardless of party.
- The plan would restore party primaries with one nominee per party and is aimed at the 2028 ballot, with the first elections under the change expected in 2030.
- The effort grew from concern that early polls in the 2026 governor’s race showed Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco leading a splintered field of Democrats.
- The campaign has drawn support from Democrats, Republicans, and third-party leaders, while former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a chief backer of the current system, publicly criticized the repeal bid.
- Maviglio says qualifying the measure will require a multimillion-dollar signature drive, and election officials are also warning that online calls for Democrats to vote at the last minute could slow California’s already lengthy ballot count.