MT Open Primaries Stays and NM Starts

The U.S. Supreme Court Declined this week, to Hear a Challenge Brought by the Montana Republican Party, Seeking to Close the State’s Primary Elections to Only Registered Republicans. The Case centered on Montana’s Longstanding Open Primary System, which Allows Voters to Choose which Party’s Primary they Participate in.

Lower Courts had already Ruled Against the GOP Challenge, Finding that Montana’s System does Not Violate the Party’s Constitutional Rights. By Refusing to take up the Appeal, the Supreme Court leaves those Rulings in Place, and Preserves Open Primaries in Montana for the Foreseeable Future.

The Supreme Court has Refused to Hear similar Challenges in States like Hawaii. Taken together, the Pattern Suggests the Court has Little Appetite for Revisiting Precedent that gives States Broad Authority to Structure Primary Elections, including Systems Designed to Expand Participation beyond Registered Party Members.

Any Party have the Option to run their Own Party Primary and Pay for it.

This First-of-its-kind “Independent-to-Independent" Campaign is Built by Independents, for Independents, and Features Independents from Across the State Speaking Directly about the Importance of Independent Voters, making their Voices Heard in the Primaries, Oftentimes the Most Important Election.

I helped Fund the Original Effort in New Mexico. Finally, kudos to Bob Perls who has been Leading the Effort to Open the Primaries in NM for a Ddecade and who just Voted for the First time in a Primary Election.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker