The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has voted unanimously to support California’s Proposition 14 on the June 2010 ballot. 

Proposition 14 is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that changes the election process for most state and federal offices. 

"This measure will allow any registered voter to vote for any candidate in the primary election without regard to political affiliation," said John Ewan, chairperson of the SLO Chamber’s Board of Directors. "We hope the open primary at state and federal levels will allow California voters to gain representation they wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to have. We also hope to have more legislators who are willing to lead and build a consensus."

If this measure passes in June, all voters would receive the same primary election ballot for most state and federal offices, with all candidates listed, including independent candidates. 

Each voter can then vote for any candidate. A voter registered with the Republican Party, for example, would be able to vote in the primary election for a candidate registered as a Democrat, Republican, or with any other party affiliation.

Only the two candidates with the most votes — regardless of political party identification — would advance to the general election ballot. Which means the top two candidates could have the same party preference.

The SLO Chamber’s Board of Directors met last Thursday morning and passed a motion recommended by the Chamber’s Issues Evaluation Committee to support Proposition 14. This is now an official Chamber position and Chamber staff will advocate accordingly to its members and the community. 

For more information on Proposition 14, click here.