Soren Dayton has a nice explanation of the primary process reform that Abel Maldonado put on the ballot in return for his support passing a budget. Under Maldonado's plan, primaries would become virtually party-less, with the top two vote getters going on to the general election. The theory is that that will ensure more moderates in Congress, as independent voters will be more involved in the primary process. In areas like San Francisco, it will probably lead to more radical victors, as the primary winners are likely to hail from the left and the further left. In any case, both parties in California hate it, and since I hate both parties in California, I'm inclined to think it a good idea.
