Open Primaries in the news

Endorsement: Baltimore mayor’s race shows why ‘top two’ is the better way

Posted by Russell Daniels on June 04, 2020 at 2:48 PM

Could open primaries be a panacea for low turnout, rising polarization and partisan fighting?

Posted by Russell Daniels on June 01, 2020 at 10:54 AM

Maine Voices: Open primaries should head list of crisis-driven election reforms

Posted by Russell Daniels on June 01, 2020 at 10:48 AM

BY JOE H. PICKERING JR for Press Herald

BANGOR — Many Mainers, for the first time, have been confronted with what it means to have their right to vote threatened. It’s a deeply unsettling feeling. Which is why editorial boards across the state, including, on April 5, the Maine Sunday Telegram, have called for steps to be taken to ensure broad voter participation and safety.

Proposition D for Democracy Campaign Discusses Novel St. Louis Ballot Initiative

Posted by Russell Daniels on May 26, 2020 at 10:37 AM

Lessons to be learned from the ‘real’ Operation Chaos in South Carolina

Posted by Russell Daniels on March 20, 2020 at 11:04 AM

written by John Opdycke for The Fulcrum

For weeks leading up to the pivotal South Carolina primary, the media warned of a sinister plot hatched by President Trump and Rush Limbaugh called "Operation Chaos."

How Reasonable Candidates Become Partisan Fighters

Posted by Russell Daniels on February 21, 2020 at 12:33 PM

by Neal Simon

Recently, two people who want to help our country advance came to me for advice about running for Congress. One, whom I’ll call Mary, is just left of center on social issues but considers herself a fiscal conservative. She grew up a Republican, but is now a Democrat. John, who labels himself a moderate Republican, is just right of center. He spoke of common sense solutions that satisfy many diverse stakeholders.

Oregon’s closed primaries are degrading state’s legacy of democratic innovation

Posted by Russell Daniels on February 17, 2020 at 4:11 PM

written by David Ellis & Jeremy Gruber for The Oregonian

North Dakota is often credited as the first state to hold a presidential primary, but it was Oregon that invented it. From 1902 to 1914, Oregon was an engine of democracy innovation, passing a number of reforms that gave citizens more direct control over their government, including a system that allowed voters to put measures directly on the ballot, direct elections for U.S. senators, and the ability to nominate candidates for public office in primaries. These progressive reforms were collectively known as the Oregon System.

Expand Nebraska's nonpartisan elections

Posted by Russell Daniels on February 09, 2020 at 12:37 PM

written by Senator John Mccollister & Adam Morfeld for The Lincoln Journal Star

Eighty-six years ago, Nebraskans fundamentally changed the way we are represented. Our forefathers were unwilling to stand idly by as our state experienced the massive political and social unrest of the Great Depression. Our Legislature was gridlocked and unable to respond to the pressing challenges of the day.

Open primaries: no time like the future

Posted by Russell Daniels on January 30, 2020 at 3:20 PM

written by the Herald-Tribune Editorial Board

Something’s happening here. And with all due respect to that prescient 1960s Buffalo Springfield song, what it is seems pretty clear: Our two major political parties’ laserlike cultivation of their respective bases is leaving a significant portion of American voters running for the sidelines.

Floridians want open primaries. Let all voters vote.

Posted by Russell Daniels on January 30, 2020 at 2:56 PM

written by OP President John Opdycke & Dr. Jeff Solomon for South Florida Sun Sentinel

While the national press stands focused on the Democratic and Republican Parties’ fight over Florida in the presidential race, the real fight unfolding in our state is happening between the people of Florida and the insiders-of both parties.