The Independent View: Oregon People's Primary for All Voters

A Bill was recently introduced in Oregon that would reform Primary Elections in a whole new way. State Representative Knute Buehler (R-54th District) is the sponsor of Bill HB-3140, also known as the People’s Primary.

The People’s Primary opens the first stage of the Public Election Process in a way no other State does. Put simply, HB-3140 reforms the current Closed Primary system by adding a Ballot for All Voters. Voters Registered with a Party can vote in their Party’s Primary. However, if these voters wish to opt out of participating in their Party’s Primary or are Unaffiliated, they can participate in the People’s Primary.

Here is how it works:

The system would opt for Voters, Parties, or a Coalition of Parties to nominate Candidates who they want to be in the Primary. Candidates then submit their Nomination to the Secretary of State to ensure qualification.

Once nominated and confirmed, Voters Registered with a Political Party can vote in their Party’s Primary per usual. Voters not Affiliated with a Party are mailed the People’s Primary Election Ballot, and Voters affiliated with a Party may request the People’s Primary Ballot instead of their Party’s Ballot.

Candidates Affiliated with a Political Party who qualify for the Primary appear on their Party’s Ballot. All Candidates, including Candidates not affiliated with a Party, appear on the People’s Primary Ballot and their Party Affiliation, or lack thereof, is indicated on the Ballot.

The winner of each Party’s Primary and the People’s Primary would be guaranteed a spot on the General Election ballot.

Since Oregon uses Fusion Voting, will a Party Candidate get their votes on both Primary Ballots be combined in a Total Vote?

The Bill was introduced on March 1st. While it would be a new Primary System to be implemented, if passed, the concept behind it is not new.

In April 2016 FairVote detailed the Public Primary, which initially was proposed by a Member of the Independent Voter Project. Both the People’s Primary and the Public Primary are very similar in nature, with the biggest difference being the use of Ranked-Choice Voting in the Public Primary.

Undoubtedly, HB-3140 would drastically change the current Closed Primary System in Oregon. Roughly 30% of Oregon Voters are Registered as Non-Affiliated or Independent.

In an Election climate where nearly all Elections are decided in the Primary stage, a significant bloc of Voters in Oregon do not currently have an equal say in who ends up representing them. There clearly is a desire for change among these voters. It is up to Oregon Lawmakers to decide if establishing the People’s Primary will be the change the State needs.

The main problem I see with this type of Primary is the Election of Party Officials. If I am a Party Member and opt to receive the People’s Primary, I am giving up my Vote for Party Officials, County Committee Members, and State Committee Members.