The CN&R recommends…

Voters should expect to be confused by the June 5 election ballot. That’s because, while the presidential contest remains a traditional primary election, with voters casting ballots for candidates in their own parties, the state and congressional races are being handled differently.

In 2010 voters approved Proposition 14, which created an “open primary” in which candidates compete against all other candidates, regardless of party. The top two vote-getters advance to the November general election.

Meanwhile, the races for Butte County supervisor in Districts 1 and 5 are traditional nonpartisan primary contests. If no candidate garners a majority of the votes, the top two will go to a runoff in November. (District 4 Supervisor Steve Lambert is running unopposed.)

So there you have it: three different types of races on one ballot. No wonder you’re confused. Just don’t let that stop you from voting. Turnout is critical, especially for the more progressive candidates and measures. Here are our recommendations:

United States Senate: Dianne Feinstein. The veteran senator is running against a bunch of no-name candidates, including Elizabeth Emken, who has the backing of the California Republican Party. This one is a no-brainer.

United States representative: Jim Reed. The moderate Democrat back for a second try for Wally Herger’s seat offers the flexibility and ability to work across the aisle that his chief Republican opponents, Sam Aanestad and Doug LaMalfa, lack. In fact, if we wanted to vote Republican, we’d back Happy Valley real-estate agent Greg Cheadle. He at least has a sense of humor.

State Assembly District 3: Charles Rouse. We’d like to see Rouse make it into the November general election, where he’d no doubt face Dan Logue, the hard-right Republican incumbent. Rouse, a retired postal worker from Corning, is a moderate Democrat whose all-purpose motto is, “If you want it, you have to pay for it.” Chico voters should know that he strongly supports higher education and wants to fund it at adequate levels.

State Assembly District 1: Robert Meacher. All five of the candidates in this race are impressive. The three with the most experience are the two conservative Republicans, Redding City Councilman Rick Bosetti and Lassen County Supervisor Brian Dahle, and the one moderate Democrat, Plumas County Supervisor Robert Meacher. Bosetti and Dahle have both drunk the “no-tax-pledge” Kool-Aid, which means Meacher is the only one with the flexibility needed to govern California.

Proposition 28: Yes. Are you happy with the State Legislature? Most people aren’t. The current term-limits law is part of the problem. It doesn’t give lawmakers, especially in the Assembly, time to learn the ropes and develop into knowledgeable leaders before they’re termed out. This measure would tweak the law to allow them to stay in one house longer and gain valuable experience, while reducing their total possible tenure in the Capitol from 14 to 12 years. (See “Prop. 28 will fix term limits,” Editorial, May 3.)

Proposition 29: Yes. The measure would add a dollar tax to every pack of cigarettes, the $735 million in annual revenue to be used for cancer research. The American Lung Association and American Cancer Society are for it; Big Tobacco is against it, to the tune so far of $40 million. (See “Yes on Proposition 29,” Editorial, April 26.)

Measure A: No. Butte County supervisors passed a flawed medical-marijuana ordinance last year. Tell them to start over. (See “Measure A’s a downer,” Editorial, May 17.)

Supervisor, District 1: Bill Connelly. He’s not the most PC pol around, but he works hard, is approachable, cares for his community and doesn’t let ideology get in the way of good sense.

Supervisor, District 5: Robin Huffman. The Board of Supervisors is dominated by conservative men. Huffman, a former Paradise councilwoman, would add philosophical and gender balance to a board that desperately needs it. She’s smart, too.