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General Discussion

QueerDuck

(2,054 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

Jun 3

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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7 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

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 Jun 3 OP

I am very hopeful for Becerra pinkstarburst Jun 3 #1

Hopefully Steyer won't run as a third party candidate. choie Jun 3 #6

There is no sore loser clause in Ca? LisaL Jun 3 #7

California has long-standing "sore loser" laws that have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. QueerDuck Jun 3 #8

Well, let's hope so, anyway. calimary Jun 3 #15

Hope? It's a freaking Blue state law. paleotn Jun 3 #19

Agreed. The infighting would have been nauseating. Voters aren't Nixie Jun 3 #2

I agree Unwind Your Mind Jun 3 #3

Yep. If you add all the primary voters for all the democrats in the running, LisaL Jun 3 #4

I don't live in California AZProgressive Jun 3 #5

Trump is extremely un popular in California BlueWaveNeverEnd Jun 3 #16

Steyer vs Becerra would have been my preference. CoopersDad Jun 3 #9

We would have found out more about both candidates Bobstandard Jun 3 #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 Jun 3 #11

Exactly my feeling about this. Sympthsical Jun 3 #13

We should've done better Sympthsical Jun 3 #12

I'm on the opposite coast so I have no skin in the game Quiet Em Jun 3 #14

It can easily happen in a jungle primary, if voters are split and can't decide. LisaL Jun 3 #17

I hate that any republican gets any votes anywhere in any election. maxsolomon Jun 3 #18

Word is that Becerra will defeat Hilton handily. ananda Jun 3 #20

Steyer is still in the running people Jun 3 #21

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