Dear Editor,
Everyone's talking about the impact independent voters are having in this presidential election. But in 18 states, independents can't vote in the primaries or caucuses. With polls showing independents making up 40% of the electorate, closed primaries disenfranchise a significant number of the American people. Currently, the law allows the Democrats and Republicans to determine whether independents can vote in primaries. But shouldn't our rights as voters trump the rights of the political parties? Shouldn't all of us, whether we are Democrats, Republicans or independents, have a fundamental right to participate in every stage of our election process? And who pays the costs associated with holding primaries and caucuses of these quasi-governmental entities, the Democrats and Republicans? In the vast majority of states, it's the taxpayers.
Independent voters in closed primary states don't enjoy the rights of full citizenship and are excluded from what is often the most critical part of the electoral process. In these states, where one party often dominates, the primary election is the only one that matters. The general election is a rubber stamp of the primary's results, and then, the votes of independent voters are irrelevant. Voter interest and participation increase 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 Americans, so they appeal to all voters.
Our primaries are not open to independents. Independents are getting together as part of a growing network in our state and in the country (see www.independentvoting.org) to loudly demand that democracy and the voters come before party interests. The parties should open their primaries!
Get involved and write!
Michael H. Drucker
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