Oregon voters have one last chance today to cast their ballots in the state’s primary elections. But some people, despite the fact that they are U.S. citizens, Oregon residents and registered voters, did not have the opportunity to cast a ballot in important races.
The state’s primary elections are closed, restricting people to vote only for members of the political party with which they are registered. Thus the Democrat and Republican challengers for governor, for example, are decided only by party-affiliated voters. That leaves Oregon’s independent voters out in the rain.
But we have a chance to change all that. The Portland-based campaign One Oregon, One Ballot is currently gathering signatures to get a measure on the November ballot that would open Oregon’s primary elections. Measure 86 would allow anyone from any party to vote for any candidate, and it would mandate that all voters receive the same ballot. Under the measure, the two candidates who garner the most votes, regardless of their political affiliations, would move on to the general elections.
We support this measure because it treats all Oregon voters equally. Voters with political philosophies that fall somewhere in between “Republicans suck” and “Democrats suck” should be encouraged to vote, not excluded from the democratic process.
Moreover, Oregon’s political scene needs invigoration. This year’s gubernatorial race could end up a repeat of 2002 if Republican Kevin Mannix and Democrat incumbent Gov. Ted Kulongoski both win. Allowing voters to choose the primary candidates they feel best represent the needs of Oregon might prevent a de facto battle between each party’s best-funded candidate.
Closed primaries diminish the chances of more moderate party members advancing because the primary winners typically align themselves with party platforms. Partisanship is widely recognized as a source of strife and as a cause of sluggish legislation. The closed primary election system encourages partisanship by forcing people to pick sides. It keeps the focus on the fight between the parties rather than on electing people who represent voters’ beliefs and interests most aptly.
Opponents of open elections argue that allowing only two candidates in the general elections will stifle the voice of smaller political parties, but those parties will still be able to campaign and get their ideas out during the primary elections. If it is truly the issues that these parties want to focus on, they can join the campaign that most closely represents their values and stop throwing their votes away on candidates who have no chance of winning.
Members of the One Ballot campaign are currently working to gather the 75,000 required signatures before July 16. Campaign member Nick Sernesky said he thinks the group is still a few thousand signatures short of the goal.
It is time for Oregon to get rid of its outdated, unfair primary elections system. Support the One Ballot campaign now and vote yes on Measure 86 in November.