SR: Vote, Fight For Open Primary

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/ Spokesman-Review Editorial Board . More here.

Thoughts?