After Democratic scare, California flirts with return to closed primaries

California is considering switching back to closed primaries after Democrats were alarmed by the prospect of being shut out of the gubernatorial race due to the current jungle primary system. This system allows any registered voter to participate in any party’s primary, which led to a situation where a Republican could win the Democratic nomination. The potential shift to closed primaries, where only registered party members can vote in their respective party’s primary, is seen as a way to ensure party integrity and competitiveness in future elections. This move could have broader implications for how other states manage their primary elections and the balance of power within political parties.