GIVE US YOUR IDEAS!

Melanie felt sad watching the voter put his completed ballot in the bright orange bag. As a Provisional Election Judge in Harford County, Maryland, she knew why. The voter was neither a Republican nor a Democrat, so his provisional ballot would likely not be counted. Maryland’s primary election excludes all voters except registered Republicans or Democrats.

 

Closed primaries seem unfair as they discourage common ground and compromise. Open primaries could foster moderate candidates who prioritize collaboration over division.

 

We think Maryland needs to adopt an open primary system. Allowing all voters to participate in the primaries would encourage candidates to appeal to a broader electorate, promoting moderation and reducing polarization. Maryland could set an example for other states.

 

Let Us Vote MD wants to fix Maryland’s broken system so that all registered voters can cast a primary ballot that counts. Do other Marylanders feel the same way? Do other Marylanders want to advocate for open primaries to ensure all voices are heard?

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Would others join us in changing the primary voting rules in Maryland?