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QueerDuck

(1,980 posts)

8. California has long-standing "sore loser" laws that have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Reply to choie (Reply #6)

Wed Jun 3, 2026, 11:02 AM

Wednesday

California has long-standing "sore loser" laws that have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. These laws are designed to protect the integrity of the ballot and political stability by preventing candidates who have already been rejected by voters in a primary from continuing their campaign in the general election.

There is no mechanism under the current system for a candidate who loses the primary to continue their campaign as a third-party or independent candidate in the general election.

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LisaL justaprogressive calimary susanr516 Pinback paleotn pinkstarburst

21 replies

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Highlight:

We got the best outcome in California [View all] Renew Deal Wednesday OP

I am very hopeful for Becerra pinkstarburst Wednesday #1

Hopefully Steyer won't run as a third party candidate. choie Wednesday #6

There is no sore loser clause in Ca? LisaL Wednesday #7

California has long-standing "sore loser" laws that have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. QueerDuck Wednesday #8

Well, let's hope so, anyway. calimary Wednesday #15

Hope? It's a freaking Blue state law. paleotn Wednesday #19

Agreed. The infighting would have been nauseating. Voters aren't Nixie Wednesday #2

I agree Unwind Your Mind Wednesday #3

Yep. If you add all the primary voters for all the democrats in the running, LisaL Wednesday #4

I don't live in California AZProgressive Wednesday #5

Trump is extremely un popular in California BlueWaveNeverEnd Wednesday #16

Steyer vs Becerra would have been my preference. CoopersDad Wednesday #9

We would have found out more about both candidates Bobstandard Wednesday #10

Agree. I'll vote for Becerra and he will win but nothing will change in CA with him as govenor. Which is a shame as CA beaglelover Wednesday #11

Exactly my feeling about this. Sympthsical Wednesday #13

We should've done better Sympthsical Wednesday #12

I'm on the opposite coast so I have no skin in the game Quiet Em Wednesday #14

It can easily happen in a jungle primary, if voters are split and can't decide. LisaL Wednesday #17

I hate that any republican gets any votes anywhere in any election. maxsolomon Wednesday #18

Word is that Becerra will defeat Hilton handily. ananda Wednesday #20

Steyer is still in the running people Wednesday #21