Editorial: Vote, then fight for open Idaho primaries

Many Idaho voters are upset about the changes to the primary system that force them to declare their allegiance to a party before they can vote for the candidates of those parties. About one-third of Idaho voters are independents, and we fear many of them will protest by sitting out Tuesday’s election.

The Republican stalwarts who engineered this unpopular switch to a closed primary would be quite pleased with a low turnout because their preferred candidates would stand a better chance of being elected.

Don’t reward them. Get out and vote.

Open primaries have always had a moderating influence, because independent voters have been able to dilute the wishes of those who are more ideologically minded and loyal to political parties. But in a state dominated by one party, those who belong to it can bend the voting process to their liking.

Last year, the Republican Party leveraged its dominance in the state Legislature to adopt the closed primary because it didn’t like the fact that independents and Democrats could influence who would advance past the primary. Democrats and the minor parties have chosen to keep their primaries opened, but in most races the results hardly matter. It’s the winner of the Republican primary who will eventually hold office.

Republicans say they should get to choose their standard bearers. But taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for that winnowing, especially when a refusal to declare a party affiliation will block them from critical races. If they pay, they should be allowed to participate.

The system won’t change before Tuesday, so independent voters face quite a conundrum. They can register as Republicans and have some influence on the outcome, or they can boycott the election and reward those who supported the change.

We’d urge pragmatism over principle, because the state could be left with some leaders who operate on the fringes with minimal support. As Jim Weatherby, Boise State University emeritus professor of public policy and longtime Idaho political observer, told The Spokesman-Review, “The expectation is that ultraconservatives will do fairly well.”

If that’s desirable, then by all means stay home. If you find that worrisome, then vote. But don’t stop there. After the election, clamor for a return to an open primary.

Washington state voters thwarted political parties that sued for closed primaries by adopting a primary in which the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party affiliation. Voters need not pledge their allegiance to any party. The historical preference for voter independence is preserved, and those who pay for the elections get to play.

We hope that independent voters in Idaho understand that changing the system will be more difficult if they boycott the primary. Those who get elected with a low turnout are more apt to protect a closed system.

So, please, get out and vote. Then stay engaged.