kos writes:
Open primaries are stupid.
I disagree. Open primaries are more small-d-democratic.
- Years and years ago, there were counties in my home state of South Carolina where the voter registration was nearly 100% Democratic (these were "Strom Thurmond" Democrats...) Local elections were decided during the primary, as the primary winner would run unopposed in the general election. In these areas, closed primaries would have locked minority voters out of their only opportunity to select a candidate.
- Amendment 1 to the Constitution guarantees us the right to peaceably assemble -- which also includes the right to not associate. Closed primaries require that an eligible voter forfeit that right in order to participate.
- In the US, political parties have the right to charge membership dues. Neither of the two major parties does so (currently), but at least one minor party does. Closed primaries open the door to a 21st century poll tax.