UT: the Independent Case for Open Primaries

From a letter to the editor of the Davis County Clipper by Randy Miller, President of the Utah League of Independent Voters:

In response to the letter titled “Independents need to re-register by 22nd” (Clipper May 20). While I appreciate the author’s concern, independents only need to change their voter registration in order to vote in the publicly funded yet closed Republican primary. Independents can vote in the primary election for nonpartisan races such as school board positions without changing their voter registration. Contested Democratic races that go to a primary contest are open to all Democratic and unaffiliated voter registrants.

The statement that “Independents need to re-register” would be better stated “Republicans need to open their primaries.” Jon Huntsman has repeatedly called for this and I would use the term ‘their primaries’ loosely. Public money pays for the administration of primary elections, so they are technically not an asset of any political party.

They are assets of the people of Utah. I support political parties’ right to the freedom of association and the right to enact and carry out their own bylaws.

However, and I think most independents would agree, I do not support taxpayer dollars being used for the internal affairs of the political parties. So long as taxpayer dollars are used to administer primary elections, there should be a nonpartisan option where all ballot qualified candidates appear on one ballot. Independents for example, should not be precluded from advancing a brand X candidate in a legislative race, a brand Y candidate in a County office race, and a brand Z candidate for Governor when public dollars are being used to fund the primary election.

I encourage independents to vote in the nonpartisan portions of this upcoming primary election without changing their voter registration and to call on legislators to enact equitable accommodations and election reforms.

Randy Miller,
President
Utah League of independent Voters