Expert: GOP Didn’t Stop Crossover

Political scientist Gary Moncrief has analyzed results from Idaho’s first-ever closed primary and says the early evidence suggests it failed to achieve the Republican Party’s aim — to keep Democrats and independents from influencing nominees for the general election. Moncrief, a University Distinguished Professor at Boise State, compared Tuesday’s turnout in the Republican and Democratic primaries to the same figures in the three past presidential elections. The plan to limit the primary to “real” Republicans appears to have failed, said Moncrief, who added that more data is necessary to draw a firm conclusion. Rather than depressing the proportion of ballots cast on the GOP side by requiring party affiliation to vote, the GOP boosted its share of the vote/ Dan Popkey , Idaho Statesman. More here.

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