Louisiana Senate Committee Passes "Open Primary"

Ballot Access News says:

"On April 28, the Louisiana Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee passed HB 292. It moves congressional elections back to the pattern used between 1998 and 2006. There are no congressional elections until November. All voters use the same ballot, and that ballot lists all candidates. If anyone gets 50% or more in November, that person is elected. Otherwise the top two finishers face off in December."

In presidential election years, of course, the presidential nominees would also be on the ballot on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The only December runoffs that would be held, if necessary, would be for Congress.

The Louisiana House of Representatives passed HB 292 on April 14.

The only state now using this type of system to elect its congressional delegation is Washington, which calls it the "top two." That state has the first round in August and the runoff in November. Louisiana and Washington are the only states that use this process to elect all of their state officials.

California's June 8 ballots will include Proposition 14, which would impose a "top two open primary" for the Golden State's congressional and state officials. The first round would be in June and the runoff in November.