"Proponents say the top-two primary, along with the new districts, will spur competition, help guard against spoiler candidates and potentially lead to more moderate lawmakers being elected. They further hope a new dynamic will emerge to lessen partisan rancor.
But critics contend the new primary will limit choice, drive up the cost of campaigning and spell the end of third-party candidates.
Some analysts point to several past elections that would have ended with different results had the top-two system been in place. But others doubt that overall it will change hard partisan split and gridlock that are seen in both the Legislature and Congress.
Timing of the top-two system and the new maps come amid dramatic changes in how the electorate views candidates, partisan politics and the world, said former state Sen. Steve Peace, who sponsored an initiative after which Proposition 14 was patterned."
New primary system could shake up politics in California
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