No on Prop. 49

Proponents of Proposition 49 have stirred up a phony tempest in contending that boss politics will return to California local government unless their measure is approved by state voters at the primary election June 3. The argument is an empty one and Proposition 49 should be defeated.

The measure, sponsored by Assemblyman Richard L. Mountjoy (R-Monrovia), would amend the state Constitution to specifically prohibit political parties in California from making endorsements in nonpartisan elections. The proponents want voters to believe that California has had effective local government, arising from the Progressive reforms of 1910-1915, only because the Constitution had barred Republicans, Democrats or other organized parties from having anything to do with the elections. That’s nonsense.

In fact, there was no such prohibition until 1978, when a state Court of Appeal ruled against the practice. It was such a non-issue at the time, that no one even bothered to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.

In a subsequent case, the state Supreme Court held in 1984 that nothing in the state Constitution barred the parties from participating in local elections, such as for city councils, boards of supervisors, school boards and judgeships. That case upheld the legality of the state Republican Party’s officially opposing the re-election of three Supreme Court justices in 1982.

The court decision did not change the basic nature of California’s local elections. The offices remain nonpartisan. The candidates’ own political parties are not listed on the ballot. The ruling merely reinstated the parties’ right to endorse candidates and work for election if they saw fit.

Supporters of Proposition 49 raise the specter of old-style machine politics, political bossism and corruption infecting local government if present law persists. The fact is that California’s political parties have never been weaker and that political bossism or machines, if any, operate on their own well outside the structure and control of the state Republican or Democratic parties.

The more cogent argument comes from state Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-San Leandro), an opponent of Proposition 49. Without any party participation, groups styling themselves as “Citizens for Clean Government” or “Law and Order Committee” will be the major players. As Lockyer notes, “Who knows what those endorsements mean?”

It makes no sense for people to have the right to express themselves through a sham front organization when they cannot also have the right to express themselves through a political party that can be held accountable for its actions.

Apathy, lack of interest and lack of accountability are the major threats to electoral government in California, not boss rule. There is no need for Proposition 49 in the state Constitution.