California’s Jungle Primary System: Analysts Discuss Its Merits, Faults

Volunteers Julian Shelby (R), Brittney Duran (C), and Natalie King assist voters at the Golden Hill Recreation Center, a polling place for the primary in San Diego on March 3, 2020. Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images

Californians entered the jungle on March 3—the so-called “jungle primaries.”

The state’s primaries are different than in most states. In the statewide and legislative races, as well as U.S. Senate and U.S. House races, voters have a variety of candidates to choose from—regardless of party affiliation.