American Democracy Minute | Radio Report & Podcast on Democracy Issues

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 15, 2023

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

This past year, party activists in several states proposed CLOSING their primaries to anyone not registered with that party. Why?

A fear of “crossover voting” to derail extreme candidates seems to be the short answer. Polarization has driven millions of voters of both parties to become independent, but they may be too moderate for the party faithful.

A recent proposal to close Republican primaries in New Hampshire cited the influence of unaffiliated voters on the outcome of Republican primaries. Wyoming, Texas and Ohio have, or are considering, legislation requiring party affiliation to vote in a primary.

Colorado Republicans have also been discussing ways to opt out of the state’s primary system. Colorado Public Radio cited one state Republican leader as saying, “The current unconstitutional open primary scheme allows for Democrats, and other leftwing groups, to interfere in our primary nomination outcomes so they can weaken our general election prospects.”

There is little evidence that crossover voting can flip the outcome of an election.

But there is growing evidence that open primaries DO encourage candidates to be less extreme in primary races when they must appeal to the middle – not just to the 10% of party activists who show up for a closed primary. That may be why fringe activists want to slam the door, and why pro-voter groups advocate for primary access for all voters.

We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Politico – Open season on open primaries
NPR – The U.S. has a ‘primary problem,’ say advocates who call for new election systems
Ohio Capital Journal – Some lawmakers want to close Ohio primaries, claiming without evidence voters are gaming the system
InDepthNH – GOP Resolution Would Block 320,000 Undeclared NH Voters from Voting in Republican Primaries
Colorado Public Radio – Colorado Republicans reject rule change that would have made it easier to close GOP primary, leaving out unaffiliated voters
CBS News – “Crossover voting” in primaries in Wyoming is about to become more difficult
Wyoming Legislature – HB 103 – Political party affiliation declaration and changes
Bipartisan Policy Center – 2018 Primary Election Turnout and Reforms