Delaware is only 60,000 voters away from having those who are unaffiliated as its largest voting bloc, second to the Democratic Party. However, the state still has closed primaries, preventing about 270,000 individuals from voting until the general election. On Sept. 10, the nonprofit Open Primaries, advocates and state Rep. Mike Smith discussed why they believe this should be changed.
- Republicans select who they want to represent them. Democrats and Libertarians do the same. Why should an independent have a say who represents the Democrats? — Robert Beckman
- I’m one of those who is unaffiliated, and I believe it’s right that I cannot vote in a Democratic or Republican primary. I shudder to think of the chaos and shenanigans that would ensue if those who aren’t part of the party, either through lack of affiliation or being affiliated with the other party, could vote. Overall, they could work to choose a weaker candidate in an effort to strengthen their own chances. Don’t think it would happen? Just look at the ways the current administration in Washington is trying to affect the general election. And I don’t feel disenfranchised. I have my chance in November. Let’s leave things the way they are. If you want to vote in a primary, join a party. — Gary Laing
- If we wanted to have a nonpartisan primary — where any voter with no party or a third party that is too small for a primary in Delaware could vote for all filed candidates that don’t belong to the Republican or Democratic parties — I would be good with that. Give the voting bloc more influence. However, the current primary system chooses who will represent the party in the general. I don’t agree with giving people who aren’t willing to be a part of one of the parties the ability to choose who that party must run in the general election. People who don’t live in my house outnumber the people who do. I will not let them choose whose name is on the deed. — Tim Pancoast
- Political parties are part of the problem, and about one-third of all Delaware voters have decided that they don’t want to be affiliated with them. Open primaries are commonplace in many states today; it’s absurd that this is still a closed-primary state and obvious that the controlling party is uninterested in losing its grasp to the “independent” minds that still exist in this state. — Jonathan Arena
- The answer to all of this is education, and guess which party is trying to destroy our education system. They already know that an educated voter is more likely a Democrat. — Jody Sweeney
- I support this because candidates like me do not fully align with the party they are registered with because the parties have derailed. The two major parties are truly radicalized. I believe, from door-knocking and having friends across the aisle, that most folks in this world are very similar. I’m not surprised folks are tired of the current system. People are sick of the hate and siloing from all sides! — Matthew Powell
- It works in Virginia. You walk in and say which ballot you want, Democrat or Republican. Anyone can choose one. You are not tied to one party at registration. — Bonnie Smith
- Nope, just pick a party or just sit home till Election Day! — Robert Leslie Moore
