The political arena in California is packed with who can shout the loudest and spend the most from the far sides of the political ideology spectrum. The rest of us, the majority, sit quietly on the sidelines. Call us moderates, centralists, even independents.

Slightly right of center, we are fiscal conservatives that also sport a socially moderate moniker. We strongly believe what is right for California is and will be right for just about all Californians.

The silence has been broken in California by the passage of the top two primary winners and redistricting. Proposition 14, passed in 2010, threw open the door that effectively barred the middle from political participation. Your party registration no longer restricts you selecting a party nominee that may advance to the general election, but rather your vote can advance the best candidate regardless of party affiliation to the general election. Formerly registered Decline to State – DTS, now No Party Preference-NPP, did not participate in party primary nominations. Many in the middle were left voiceless, resulting in the strengthening of the political extremes. Proposition 11 (2008) and 20 (2010) suddenly made legislative districts more competitive, much to the dismay of many incumbent politicians. It is true that redistricting has caused same political party candidates in some general elections, but it is widely agreed the election process is fairer.

NPP candidates and voter numbers are growing in California. As Republican and Democrat registration continues to decline, (29 and 44 percent respectively) approximately 21 percent of registered voters now identify themselves as NPP. I encourage voters who have not registered as an NPP to do so. I believe this will encourage voters to make independent nonpartisan decisions, resulting in a more efficient and effective group of elected leaders.

Published in the Calaveras Enterprise: June 10th 2013