Tired of all that fighting between Democrats and Republicans? Then do what California might do and just get rid of them

Imagine a world without Republicans or Democrats or Libertarians or members of the Green Party? Well, imagine all you want to, it's still not likely to happen, but California is getting ready to pass a referendum that would, at least, lessen the influence somewhat of party politics in state and Congressional elections.

In a measure that appears, according to the latest polls, poised to pass June 8, California would get rid of party primary elections in state and Congressional elections. All candidates, regardless of party affiliation, would appear on the same ballot and then the top two vote getters would face off in a second round that would decide the ultimate winner. Candidates could either list a party affiliation with their name on the ballot or have "no preference" listed. All registered voters could vote in this single primary, regardless of party affiliation. The result could be that the second election would feature two Democrats or two Republicans running against one another.

The measure seems to have the support of just about everyone except ... you guessed it ... the political parties. Smaller parties are especially fighting it saying it would box them out of elections, as if their candidates had a chance of winning anyway.

Supporters, who include Gov. "Ahnold" and the lieutenant governor as well as Lewis Wolff, a real estate developer and the owner of the Oakland A’s baseball team; Steve Westly, a former Democratic candidate for governor; and John W. Thompson, chairman of Symantec and a supporter of President Obama, claim passage would result in more voters participating in the electoral process and more centrist candidates being elected.  The measure also has the support of Hewlett Packard (which donated $100,00 to the campaign) and the California Chamber of Commerce.

The proposition is modeled after a law in Washington state that was upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008.A spokesperson for the Washington secretary of state says the measure encourages people to "vote for the person and not the party."