So, I've actually changed my mind on something. I now favor open primaries. Quick summary as to why:
1--Way more people vote in open primaries than closed ones. I think the best measure of voter suppression, in all it's myriad forms, is how many people actually vote. Open primaries win this easily. (Caucuses lose easily--closed primaries are at least better than those.)
2--One of the two main reasons I have heard people oppose open primaries is the fear that members of one party will screw with the primary of the other party. However, open primaries already exist in numerous states, and I haven't read any reports of Republicans successfully screwing with Democratic primaries in these states, or vice versa. This just doesn't seem to happen.
3--The second main reason I have heard people oppose open primaries is that they believe only members of a party should choose the nominee of that party. However, what does "being a member" actually mean? You don't pay dues or attend meetings. You don't even have to call yourself a member of that party, as exit polls in closed primary states show that numerous self-identified independents are already voting in Democratic and Republican primaries. Instead, all you have to do to be a member is check a box on a form. That's it.
4--Many people don't know they live in closed primary states, or that they have moved to one. They don't know that they have to check a party box on a form in order to participate in a closed primary. The form itself rarely even tells them this--or at least it doesn't tell them this clearly. I certainly don't remember seeing this information when I registered in the closed primary states of New York, Pennsylvania and D.C (although I did eventually register as a Dem in 2005 in Pennsylvania so I could vote in primaries). In short, when people are registering to vote, in many cases no one tells them that they have to check a box in order to vote in a primary. If that lack of information is all that is denying people the ability to vote, that's not right.
So, there you have it—count me in on Team Open Primary. It makes me happy that even though I am now 42 years old, I can actually still change my mind about something.
