The problem is that most states lean toward one party, so it encourages moderates to just join the majority party so they can pick the frontrunner. That then results in a positive feedback loop where states tend to get more and more extreme in whichever direction has a slight lead.
Instead of that, we should have open primaries where you can vote for multiple candidates for the same position. I am registered Libertarian, but I rarely actually vote libertarian and instead pick whichever candidate I think will do the best among those that have a real shot at winning. Instead of that, I’d much rather vote for multiple candidates (the libertarian included) that I think would represent my interests. So I’m interested in voting for candidates from all parties, because some candidates from each major party are acceptable to me, while others are not.
That’s why I want an open primary process, ideally with all candidates competing for a handful of slots. If a state leans Democrat and there are 5 candidate slots per seat, I’d expect 2-3 to be Democrat, 1-2 to be Republican, and 0-1 to be some third party. Likewise for a Republican-leaning state, but the opposite direction. Instead, we end up with two extreme candidates, one from each major party, and 1-3 third party candidates that don’t get any real shot at winning (why would you throw your vote away?).
I have lived in one state that had open primaries. A voter still had to choose which primary to vote in that day. Some independent voters will choose to vote in the R primary and some in the D primary but you still have the problem of moderates largely joining the party primary with the most influence in their area.
My state has open primaries for one party, and the other party is closed. Unfortunately, it’s the most popular party that’s closed, so a lot of people just register as that party.
If both were open and I could choose one ballot other other, I’d be happy. But ideally I could vote in all primaries, but perhaps have my vote worth less for parties I’m not registered with.
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The problem is that most states lean toward one party, so it encourages moderates to just join the majority party so they can pick the frontrunner. That then results in a positive feedback loop where states tend to get more and more extreme in whichever direction has a slight lead.
Instead of that, we should have open primaries where you can vote for multiple candidates for the same position. I am registered Libertarian, but I rarely actually vote libertarian and instead pick whichever candidate I think will do the best among those that have a real shot at winning. Instead of that, I’d much rather vote for multiple candidates (the libertarian included) that I think would represent my interests. So I’m interested in voting for candidates from all parties, because some candidates from each major party are acceptable to me, while others are not.
That’s why I want an open primary process, ideally with all candidates competing for a handful of slots. If a state leans Democrat and there are 5 candidate slots per seat, I’d expect 2-3 to be Democrat, 1-2 to be Republican, and 0-1 to be some third party. Likewise for a Republican-leaning state, but the opposite direction. Instead, we end up with two extreme candidates, one from each major party, and 1-3 third party candidates that don’t get any real shot at winning (why would you throw your vote away?).
I have lived in one state that had open primaries. A voter still had to choose which primary to vote in that day. Some independent voters will choose to vote in the R primary and some in the D primary but you still have the problem of moderates largely joining the party primary with the most influence in their area.
My state has open primaries for one party, and the other party is closed. Unfortunately, it’s the most popular party that’s closed, so a lot of people just register as that party.
If both were open and I could choose one ballot other other, I’d be happy. But ideally I could vote in all primaries, but perhaps have my vote worth less for parties I’m not registered with.