This is interesting. Apparently state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester, plans to introduce legislation that would create open primaries in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania, as you probably know, is now a closed primary state -- meaning that you have to be registered in a given party to vote in that party's primary.
I recently weighed in on that topic on this blog. I suspect that if we did institute open primaries, we'd have a lot of instances where both parties would try to sabotage each other by lending their primary "support" to the opposite party's candidate who's least likely to win in the general election.
Unfortunately, politics have a way of getting dirty here in Pennsylvania.
But of course, this is one of those instances where I'd like to be proven wrong, especially since I feel professionally obliged to register as an independent. In any case, I'll be very interested to see what kind of response DePasquale's idea gets in Harrisburg.
Here's the news release:
DePasquale to introduce open primary legislation
HARRISBURG, June 4 - State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, announced today that he soon will introduce legislation that would allow all registered voters in Pennsylvania - even those not affiliated with a particular political party - to cast a vote in primary elections.
"The intent of this legislation is to ensure that every elector's voice is heard and recorded during primary elections," DePasquale said. "Our current closed primary system leaves thousands of Pennsylvanians disenfranchised on primary Election Day. Regardless of political affiliation, voters should be able to have a say in their candidates."
Currently, Pennsylvania's closed primary system allows only members of the two major political parties to cast ballots on primary Election Day for Republican or Democratic nominations.
DePasquale said his legislation would not change how the two major party electors vote in primaries. Instead, the bill would give voice to independents and third-party affiliates by allowing them to choose a primary in which to vote.
Twelve states presently offer voters open primaries: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin.
That is great news to over 1 million voter not registered in the democratic or republican parties in Pennsylvania. Independent Pennsylvanians has been polling and petitioning for open primaries for the last several years and see overwhelming support for this kind of legislation. To sign the petition for open primaries go to our website:
http://www.paindependents.org/
Thanks,
Mark Balsam
This is great news to the over 1 million voters not registered in the Dem or Rep party. Independent Pennsylvanian's have been polling and petitioning for open primaries for the past 2 years. We have found an overwhelming majority of voters, regardless of party, support open primaries here in Pennsylvania. To sign our petition go to:
http://www.paindependents.org/
Thanks,
Mark Balsam
Independent Pennsylvanian's
This is great news to the over 1 million voters not registered in the Dem or Rep party. Independent Pennsylvanian's have been polling and petitioning for open primaries for the past 2 years. We have found an overwhelming majority of voters, regardless of party, support open primaries here in Pennsylvania. To sign our petition go to:
http://www.paindependents.org/
Thanks,
Mark Balsam
Independent Pennsylvanian's
Dang! That'll show you how well-informed I am. I wasn't even aware of this movement, despite being a registered independent myself.
I just checked out the Website that Mr. Balsam linked to, and there's a lot of neat stuff on there. Check it out if you get a chance.
I'll tell you one distinct advantage of being an independent voter -- everyone wants to be your buddy when there's a closely contested general election. Just look at all the attention that Pennsylvania's status as a swing state got us during the last presidential race.
I love your reaction of being surprised that there was a movement. Yes there is and you are right how influencial they were in the general election. Check out the documentary How the Independent Movement Went Left by Going Right, it tells the history of the growth of this movement.
Sorry for the repeat posting but I kept being told to try again, so I did.
Sincerely,
Mark Balsam
Independent Pennsylvanian's