Primary elections: county officers: top two candidates.

California Assembly Bill 868 aimed to change the way primary elections are conducted for county officers by implementing a 'top two candidates' system. This means that the two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary would advance to the general election, regardless of their political party affiliation. The bill was sponsored by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo but ultimately failed to pass.

Supporters of AB 868 would argue that the bill promotes greater voter choice by allowing the top two candidates to compete in the general election, fostering a more competitive political environment. They might highlight that this system encourages candidates to appeal to a broader range of voters, potentially leading to more moderate and representative governance.

Critics of AB 868 could contend that the 'top two candidates' system dilutes the voice of smaller parties and independent candidates, making it harder for them to compete. They may argue that this approach could lead to a lack of genuine representation, as voters might be forced to choose between two candidates from the same party in the general election.