A series of ballot initiatives aim to fix extreme partisanship in politics
Image: KLEW-TV
Americans across the political spectrum routinely express concern about the state of the country’s democracy – and this fall, voters in a record number of states will have a chance to do something about it.
Eight states are all-but-certain to hold ballot measures in November that would rewrite their local election rules, with the proposals billed as attempts to discourage extreme partisanship and give voters more influence when selecting candidates.
- Since the advent of citizen-backed ballot initiatives in the early 1900s, no other year has seen more than three states hold such election-system initiatives, per Ballotpedia.
Let’s break it down: Six states will consider proposals to abolish closed or semi-closed primary elections – which ban voters registered with outside political parties – and replace them with primaries open to any candidate and all voters.
Additionally, four states will consider proposals to replace their conventional winner-take-all elections with ranked-choice voting, where voters rate their top 4-5 candidates in order of preference. (Colorado and Nevada have ballot measures addressing both issues.)
The ballot initiatives all share a similar goal. Lawmakers and activists behind the proposals say they’re aimed at drawing more participants to primary elections, thereby reducing the potential for voters with extreme views to gain outsized influence.
- Proponents of open primary elections say the process incentivizes candidates to align more closely with the political center, since they must also appeal to independents and members of their opposing party.
- Similarly, advocates of ranked-choice elections argue the process rewards candidates who try to receive a high ranking from voters across the political spectrum.
Yes, but: Not everyone agrees with that logic. Critics of open primaries point to academic research that shows such systems actually don’t attract more moderate candidates compared to closed or semi-closed elections.
- And when it comes to ranked-choice voting, critics argue it overly complicates the process and significantly increases the chances that voters’ ballots will be thrown out and uncounted.
📊 Flash poll: Which of the following best describes your opinion about open primary elections and ranked-choice voting?
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that open primary elections are good for America, as they tend to have a broadening effect on what would otherwise be a solely play-to-the-base exercise that elevates the most polarizing, hyperpartisan candidates.
- Others contend that switching to ranked-choice voting would help elect candidates with broader appeal, support majority rule, and create more choices from across the political spectrum.
- “There’s hope for American democracy. The NH primary shows us why” –John Avlon, CNN
- “Floridians should get to vote for ranked choice voting” –Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board
- “Want to help resolve American political dysfunction? Allow open primary elections.” –Alan Novak and T.J. Rooney, WaPo
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that states should refrain from implementing a complicated voting system that confuses citizens and exacerbates ballot errors, and stick with the current, simple system that everyone can understand.
- Others contend that open primary states need to consider tightening their registration and participation rules to make it harder for the left to influence Republican primaries for state and local offices in the future, given the exodus of people from Democrat-run states.
- “Ranked ‘avoid’: Ranked choice voting increases ballot errors” –Las Vegas Review-Journal Editorial Board
- “Close primaries to protect red states” –Tom Basile, Washington Times
- “The ‘Ranked Choice’ Scam” –Kimberley A. Strassel, WSJ
Share this!
Recent Discussion stories
Discussion
| June 24, 2024The legal battle over TikTok’s future is underway
⚖️📱 On Thursday, TikTok filed the first legal briefs in a lawsuit that will determine whether Gen Z has to join their millennial elders on Reels.
Discussion
| June 21, 2024Some lawmakers are pushing to make women eligible for the draft
📝 The US military hasn’t held a draft in 50+ years. But Congress is currently considering some new updates to mandatory conscription – including a proposal that would make women eligible for the draft.
Discussion
| June 17, 2024DACA just turned 12, but its days may be numbered
📝 The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy (DACA) celebrated its 12th anniversary on Saturday. The milestone comes as the Obama-era program, which applies to more than half-a-million undocumented migrants, faces an uncertain future.
You've made it this far...
Let's make our relationship official, no 💍 or elaborate proposal required. Learn and stay entertained, for free.👇
All of our news is 100% free and you can unsubscribe anytime; the quiz takes ~10 seconds to complete