Closed primaries are the true rigged elections

A lot of signs are popping up proclaiming “rigged choice voting” and urging voters to vote “no” on Proposition 1. Which election system is “rigged?” Is it “open primaries with ranked choice voting” or our current “closed primary” system? I contend it is the current system while Proposition 1 would give voters more choice. 

The current primary system is controlled by county Republican Central Committees. For each primary, they “vet” potential candidates and select one to endorse. Since many Republican voters heed this endorsement, this is the way they rig the outcome of the primary because only one Republican candidate advances to the general election. Therefore, a small number of party bosses control the election. 

Under open primaries, more than one Republican candidate will advance to the general election and voters will decide who represents them. 

Ranked choice voting is not rigged. It is simply an instant runoff ensuring that the winning candidate gets a majority of the votes and hence reflects the wishes of most of his/her constituents. 

To learn more about ranked choice voting and especially the Alaskan experience, come to a showing of "Majority Rules", a 90-minute film on the process sponsored by Veterans for Idaho Voters. This free showing will be at 2 p.m. on October 26 at the Pearl Theater in Bonners Ferry. 

GRAY HENDERSON

Bonners Ferry