The information from two recent polls on California's upcoming Gubernatorial race suggests a moment we've long warned about. One where California's "Cajun Primary" system poses a potential disaster not only for the state's Democratic Party but also for small "d" democracy.

At its core, democracy requires "majority rule" even as the minority right of dissent is respected. As explained by the Albert Shanker Institute, "majority rule" does more than provide a mechanism for democratic decision making. "The principle also establishes the equality of all citizens. Each person counts equally; there is no weighted vote for anyone."

With that in mind, a Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) survey in February, and a more recent UC Berkeley poll in March, might be setting off alarms for state Democrats. It should be a warning for small "d" democracy as well...