Frustrated Independents: Closed Primaries Spark Concern as Voter Turnout Plummets
Just 25% of registered voters in Erie County participated in the primary election on Tuesday, yet many thousand independent voters in the area did not vote.
In Pennsylvania, which is among the 10 states in the nation with a closed primary election system, more than a million independent and third-party voters do not have the opportunity to participate in primary elections.
A voter from Erie County changed her political affiliation multiple times over the years and most recently registered as an independent. However, upon arriving to cast her ballot on Tuesday, she was denied entry.
They responded with, "Sorry, but as an independent, you're not permitted to vote today." Wow, this really brings out intense emotions within me regarding our community. I genuinely wish to be involved in shaping these choices. It baffles me why I'm being excluded just for not engaging in the two-party framework," stated Vinni Sanfilippo, who identifies as an independent voter from Millcreek Township.
Sanfilippo expressed her deep frustration with the system, and she emphasized that not affiliating with a particular party does not imply a lack of concern for the contents of the ballot.
An additional voter associated with a political party concurred and stated that independent voters ought to have the ability to cast their votes in primary elections.
"I believe they should have the opportunity to cast their votes. Since they can participate in the general election and everyone contributes financially to the overall electoral process, their opinions ought to be acknowledged," stated Michael Sekerak, who is associated with a political party.
Nevertheless, certain state legislators such as Senator DanLaughlin have advocated for permitting independent voters to participate in primary elections.
"Independent voters constitute the quickest-expanding group within our voter base, and this isn't coincidental—the two major parties share culpability for pushing away potential supporters. In cities such as Erie, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Philadelphia, numerous individuals opt to join a political party they do not genuinely align with merely to participate in primary elections. This underscores the critical importance of implementing open primaries to guarantee equitable representation for every citizen of Pennsylvania," stated Senator Laughlin from Pennsylvania.
Laughlin is the main backer of the suggested Senate Bill 400, aimed at enabling independent voters to select a political party for voting in primary elections.
Currently, that bill has been passed to the Senate State Government Committee and is waiting for a vote.
"I've never done anything to deserve being isolated like this, and it feels incredibly frustrating for an actual American citizen to find themselves in this situation," stated Sanfilippo.
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