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Bring independents into the primary mix
The primary season is here. Democrats and Republicans are working to win votes so they can face off with the opposition in the fall. And until the day after the May 18 primary, they are only interested in talking with Democrats and Republicans.
But in the midst of this, state Representative Eugene DePasquale (D-York) holding a press conference Tuesday in Harrisburg to announce legislation that would open primary contests to independent voters in Pennsylvania. DePasquale, along with eight co-sponsors (six other Democrats and two Republicans) has drafted legislation (HB 1672) that will overhaul our party nominating system by allowing independent voters (known by the state as “unaffiliated” voters) to participate.
This would be a welcome change to state politics, and here’s why.
•The rhetoric of primary battles is important to the November elections. If a candidate alienates independents in the primary, they may have an even tougher time in the general election. With independent voters numbering about one million—almost equal to the registration advantage Democrats have over Republicans—independents in the Keystone State are often the deciding factor in elections.
•Closed primaries disenfranchise a significant number of Pennsylvanians. Those one-million-plus voters who are neither Democrats nor Republicans are taxpayers who help pay for the primary process, yet cannot participate.
•Over the last 12 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of independent voters here, mirroring the national trend towards independence. According to recent polls, 40 percent of the country’s voters consider themselves independents. Polls also show that 41 percent of college students and 35 percent of black voters under age 30 identify as independents.
•Pennsylvania is one of just 17 states that exclude participation of independents from the primaries.
•Voter interest and participation increases when independent voters are permitted to participate in the primaries. It forces the candidates to be less partisan, and to address problems that affect all of their constituents, so they appeal to all voters
Independent Pennsylvanians has polled thousands of voters across the state, and we’ve found that, regardless of their political affiliation, most Pennsylvanians support open primaries. Independents make up a diverse political spectrum—from far left all the way to far right. We are fed up with the gridlock and extreme partisanship of the two-party system.We are shut out of the political process like second-class citizens. We share common values about political reforms, including the need for a non-partisan and independent Federal Election Commission; nonpartisan redistricting guidelines to eliminate gerrymandering; voting reform that allow same-day registration; and easing ballot access for third-party candidates.
House Bill 1672 should move forward because it takes seriously that the growing independent voter base is impacting how governments are being elected in Pennsylvania, and that both Democrats and Republicans need to be talking to and including independents in the electoral process.
It’s time for open primaries.
The writer is a founding member of Independent Pennsylvanians, an association of independent and independent-minded voters in the state.
March 22, 2010 at 9:46 am
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David Diano
Mar 22nd, 2010
The ballot access rules certainly need to change. The current bar is set too high. It’s ridiculous that third party candidates need MORE signatures, and in some cases, the major parties can use their committees to insert someone onto the ballot.
Look at the special election for Murtha’s seat. How’s a third party candidate expected to get on the ballot?
GOPer
Mar 22nd, 2010
Independents should not be choosing a candidate for any party. If an Independent would like to have a say in who the Republican or Democrat candidate is they should register as a Republican or Democrat.
We do need changes but allowing non-party members to choose the party’s candidates is insane.
David Diano
Mar 22nd, 2010
GOPer-
I agree that you should have to belong a party to vote in that party’s primary.
But, we need to make it easier in the first place for Independents to field a candidate who can compete with the major party candidates.
MrMark
Mar 22nd, 2010
I couldn’t agree more with allowing independents to vote in the primaries. We all (including independents) pay for these primaries with our tax dollars and should not be disenfranchised.
Scott
Mar 22nd, 2010
Independents should not get choose my party’s candidate.If you want to vote in a party’s nomination process then join the Democratic Party or the Republican Party
JP_Montco
Mar 22nd, 2010
It’s pretty simple, you want a say in the a party’s nominee, register under the party, and vote in the general however the heck you want. It’s really not that much to ask. And yes, I agree that the incredibly onerous ballot access laws are a disgrace, and both parties should be ashamed of themselves for hard-wiring a system that preserves their duopoly.
BB
Mar 22nd, 2010
The political culture has to change nationally and subsequently in all 50 states, it’s time to get rid of the two party system. Period. We’ve evolved in this country to the point where it simply does not make sense anymore to restrict choices to two parties. Shame on those that say an independent should not be allowed to vote in Pa. for a Dem. or Rep. in the primaries because they don’t happen to be registered to either one of those parties. They pay the same taxes as party members, why should they not be allowed their constitutional right to vote for a Dem. a Rep. or someone else? No one so far has given any sort of reason why they shouldn’t be able to vote, only personal opinions. Let everyone vote in the Pa. primaries and the the top two finishers, no matter from which party, will run against each other in the Nov. election. It’s pretty simple really. Either that, or get rid of the primaries altogether. Anything else is taxation without representation.
Lee Levan
Mar 22nd, 2010
I’d rather see non-partisan elections than allow independents to vote in a party primary. As long as we have party primaries, then the registered members of that party should be allowed to elect their own candidiates. Independents can field their own candidates in the general election. Perhaps there should be a primary for independents to nominate their own candidiates.
Barb P.
Mar 24th, 2010
For too long, Democrats and Republicans have had a choke hold on the political process.The two major parties have rigged the system so that third party candidates must struggle to get their names on the ballot let alone funding a campaign. To get independent voices heard, we have to start with open primaries. 40 percent of voters are now non-affiliated and the one thing they all have in common is a call to change partisan politics as usual.
Lets listen to them – for a change.
Christine L
Apr 12th, 2010
Independents should definitely be able to vote in primaries. I always try to vote for the best candidate, regardless of their party. For those who think otherwise – can you not imagine that people like me exits?