Politics

Third Parties Say "Top Two" System Could Spell Their End

Ballot proposal would effectively reserve general elections for the major parties

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It's already an uphill battle for Libertarian and Green party candidates in Arizona, but no matter what they have a place on the ballot.

However, leaders of both parties say Proposition 121 threatens to butt them out of elections for good.

"Third parties will be completely gone," said Warren Severin, chairman of Arizona's Libertarian Party.

Proposition 121, the Open Elections/Open Government Act, would replace the current partisan primary system with a single primary that advances the top vote-getters regardless of party.