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QueerDuck

(1,972 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

22 hrs ago

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

I am very hopeful for Becerra pinkstarburst 23 hrs ago #1

Hopefully Steyer won't run as a third party candidate. choie 22 hrs ago #6

There is no sore loser clause in Ca? LisaL 22 hrs ago #7

California has long-standing "sore loser" laws that have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. QueerDuck 22 hrs ago #8

Well, let's hope so, anyway. calimary 22 hrs ago #15

Hope? It's a freaking Blue state law. paleotn 21 hrs ago #19

Agreed. The infighting would have been nauseating. Voters aren't Nixie 22 hrs ago #2

I agree Unwind Your Mind 22 hrs ago #3

Yep. If you add all the primary voters for all the democrats in the running, LisaL 22 hrs ago #4

I don't live in California AZProgressive 22 hrs ago #5

Trump is extremely un popular in California BlueWaveNeverEnd 21 hrs ago #16

Steyer vs Becerra would have been my preference. CoopersDad 22 hrs ago #9

We would have found out more about both candidates Bobstandard 22 hrs ago #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 22 hrs ago #11

Exactly my feeling about this. Sympthsical 22 hrs ago #13

We should've done better Sympthsical 22 hrs ago #12

I'm on the opposite coast so I have no skin in the game Quiet Em 22 hrs ago #14

It can easily happen in a jungle primary, if voters are split and can't decide. LisaL 21 hrs ago #17

I hate that any republican gets any votes anywhere in any election. maxsolomon 21 hrs ago #18

Word is that Becerra will defeat Hilton handily. ananda 21 hrs ago #20

Steyer is still in the running people 21 hrs ago #21