Activist group sues to force open primaries
Source: Politico
By DAVID SIDERS 11/14/2018 08:00 AM EST
Proponents of open primaries are mounting a new line of attack in their effort to weaken political parties’ grip on American elections.
The New York-based Open Primaries Education Fund, representing four voters in New Mexico, said it filed a lawsuit Tuesday arguing closed primaries — primary elections that limit participation to registered party members — constitute an illegal gift of public funds. Such primaries, they claim, benefit political parties while disenfranchising independent voters.
The lawsuit hinges on a specific “anti-donation” clause of the New Mexico constitution. But supporters say the case, if successful, could have ramifications beyond New Mexico, serving as leverage to pressure lawmakers in other closed primary states.
“Politicians, not surprisingly, are reluctant to change a system that they’re comfortable with,” said John Opdycke, president of Open Primaries. “By raising the basic premise that publicly funded elections should be open to everybody, I think can really help both in the courts, but also in legislatures, to create more momentum.”
Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/14/lawsuit-open-primaries-new-mexico-989588
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