Open primaries gives people a choice

Since its August launch, the Idahoans for Open Primaries ballot initiative has had unprecedented voter support. The measure is designed to 1) increase freedom of choice and 2) elect responsive officials.

A disinformation campaign is trying to defeat the initiative. One false claim is that voting will be confusing for Idahoans. Actually, voting for your preferred candidate will be less confusing. You will no longer need to pre-register as a political party member. In open primaries, voters can choose any candidate, all on the same ballot. Over 250,000 registered unaffiliated voters will have a choice.

Voting will also be simple in the general election. For each office, the top four winners from the primary will be on the ballot. As always, voters choose the candidate they want most to win. They may then optionally rank three other candidates by preference. So if the voter’s top candidate doesn’t win, they continue to have a voice. They can demote their least preferred candidate or cast no vote for that one. We can vote our conscience and effectively have safety votes. After the county clerks tabulate votes, the winner will have received a majority. Unlike what the disinformation campaign says, in the varied places where this type of system has been adopted, voters like it. It gives people choice, and it elects people who respond to them because they need a majority to win. Maybe best of all, campaigns become more civil.

CHRISTINE MOON

Sandpoint