Speak Up: Should all voters be eligible for primaries?

Delaware’s state primaries — which took place today — only allow voting by registered Democrats and Republicans. Do you think all voters should have a voice during these preliminary elections? What are the positives and negatives of allowing only the two parties’ registrants to take part?

• Take this matter up with your state representative or state senator. Current rules are: Delaware has a closed primary. Only those in the party vote in the primary. You want that changed? Legislative Hall can accommodate. In states with open primaries, voters can scuttle good candidates in the opposing party, so their party can win in the general election. In closed-primary states, the most extreme of the party can scuttle the general by selecting someone so extreme they have no chance in the general. Two sides of the same coin. In the general, everyone can vote. You have the ultimate voice. It really should be about selecting the best candidate. By “best,” I mean learn the issues, examine the candidates and ignore party affiliation. If all would bear that in mind, we would be better off and so would our county, our state and our country. — Eugenia Thornton-Kent County Recorder of Deeds
• If you want to vote in the primaries, register as a member of that party. I may have very strong beliefs about the other party, but my vote may well be against the goals of the party. I do not believe I should be able to vote for them, nor do I think independents should be able to vote. They claim they are independent; let’s keep it that way. — Larry Josefowski
• The two-party system for voting in a primary is long overdue for a change. Every registered voter should have a voice, no matter their party affiliation. We are all Americans. We all have the right to vote. Why limit so many because they do not want to be a part of the two-party system? — Fran Haley
• The intent of the primary is to narrow down the candidates in the final election. If you want to support a particular candidate in any election, you can register up to 24 days prior to the election as a member of the party they are affiliated with. — Ellen Hart Richardson
• As a registered independent, I feel I miss out on the opportunity to choose the candidates for the general election. It should be an open ballot. — Sharon Hoffman-Wright