PENNSYLVANIA — In a decisive move towards making Pennsylvania’s primaries more inclusive, the House State Government Committee this week voted to advance a bill that aims to open the state’s primary system. The legislation, authored by state Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., seeks to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections.
Currently, Pennsylvania operates a closed primary system, wherein only voters registered with a specific party can vote in that party’s primary election. Unaffiliated voters, who are not associated with any political party, are barred from voting in these elections.
The potential change could have far-reaching implications for over 1.2 million unaffiliated voters in Pennsylvania, who are being described as disenfranchised under the existing system.
It is important to highlight that there are no restrictions on eligible voters to join a political party. Joining a political party in Pennsylvania is a simple process that usually entails registering to vote and specifying your party preference.
“Open primaries would give these voters a voice,” Solomon said. “By disenfranchising these voters, we are losing a good opportunity to hear new ideas and fresh perspectives.”
State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., a co-sponsor of the bill, echoed this sentiment, stating, “There should be no second-class among Pennsylvania’s electorate. Over 1 million voters are unduly disenfranchised in our state because they have chosen to exercise their right to remain unaffiliated with our restrictive political duopoly.”
State Rep. Marla Brown, R-Lawrence, also expressed support for the legislation, saying, “I’m very pleased with the first step taken… and the committee’s agreement to move this legislation forward. I think we’re on the right path to continue our state’s legacy of democracy in Pennsylvania.”
House Bill 979, as the legislation is formally known, will amend several provisions of the Pennsylvania Election Code. The amendments aim to redefine the qualifications of electors at primaries, the procedure for unenrolled electors to cast primary ballots, applications for official absentee ballots, applications for official mail-in ballots, and more.
The bill, having cleared its first hurdle, now awaits a vote in the full House. Solomon expressed hope that this would happen soon, marking another step forward in ensuring that everyone has a voice in Pennsylvania’s elections.
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