Open Primaries Year End Appeal

In early 2010, the legal team of independentvoting.org will be appearing in Federal Court as co-defendants in a lawsuit the Idaho Republican Party has brought against the State of Idaho.

Sound boring? it's not. It's a crucial case that political insiders from Maine to California will be watching closely. And its all about independents.

Idaho is a non-partisan registration and open primaries State. On primary day, any Idahoan can march down to their local school and vote in the primary of their choice. Last year, a faction of the GOP sued to force Idaho's Secretary of State to enact party-based voter registration and closed primary system. Several months ago, the judge dismissed the GOP's request for a summary judgment, and now we go to trial.

The case has national implications, and could potentially wind up in the Supreme Court. Millions of Americans are leaving political parties to protest the "baneful spirit of party" (paraphrasing George Washington), and the Idaho case engages whether political parties will be allowed to force state governments to institute party-based and "members only" systems for voter registration and primaries. It's a cynical, self-interested, response by right wing Republicans to the growth of the independent, "third force" movement.

Here's where you come in. Going to court is expensive, and we need to raise $40,000 to cover our legal costs. We have a great legal team, and they need our full support.

Before you decide if you can give some of your hard-earned dollars to support this fight, here's some good news:

We asked one of our top supporters, who asked to remain anonymous, to put up a $10,000 matching gift, and he said yes. Every dollar (up to $10,000) that we raise by 12/31 will be worth double. So please donate generously.

Cases like this are vital to the growth of the independent movement. They give us the opportunity to expose and challenge the partisan bias that is so prevalent in our democracy and send a strong message that independents are getting organized and are not just "swing voters" but are working to improve our democracy.


Thank you in advance for your help and Happy Holidays.

Use the above link to learn more and donate.

Michael H. Drucker
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