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ELECTION FAQS

Open Primary Act

WHAT IS THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES OPEN PRIMARY ACT?

  • On June 8, 2010, California voters approved Proposition 14, which created the Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act. 
     

  • Allows all voters to choose any candidate regardless of candidate or voter political party preference (except for President and Central Committees).
     

  • This act requires that only the top two vote getters in a ‘Voter Nominated’ office will move onto the November General Election.

For more information, see the Alameda League’s visual explainer.

Judicial System in CA

  • HOW IS THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM ORGANIZED IN CALIFORNIA ?

  • HOW ARE JUDGES/JUSTICES APPOINTED OR ELECTED IN CALIFORNIA ?

 

California courts exist at three levels:

  • Local superior courts in each of California’s 58 counties,

  • Appellate courts in each of the six state appellate districts, and

  • The  California Supreme Court with statewide jurisdiction.

courts system.jpeg

Learn more about how judges and justices at all levels obtain their positions from our blog posting.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about the California Judicial System developed and published by a committee of the Santa Clara County League of Women Voters.

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Watch a video, "How to Elect Fair and Independent Courts", a panel discussion facilitated and recorded by the League of Women Voters of San Francisco.

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