Repeal Closed Primaries

This spring, Pennsylvania's voters will head to the polls for the Commonwealth's primary elections.

But not everyone is included in this process. That’s because primaries are closed in Pennsylvania.  More than 1.1 million taxpaying Independents are denied their right to vote in these elections, despite paying their share of $20 million a year to fund them.

It’s time to #RepealClosedPrimaries. That’s why Ballot PA has created a petition of our own - and anyone can sign it.

74% of Pennsylvanians support repealing closed primaries - including strong majorities of Independents, Democrats, and Republicans.

Repealing closed primaries would guarantee a more fair process, increase the competitiveness of races, and help limit the amount of extremism and gridlock on both sides.

It is time to #RepealClosedPrimaries and allow every legally registered voter to cast a ballot in PA’s primary. 

Legislators across the Commonwealth can change this unfair election practice by acting now to ensure voters their right to vote in PA primaries. 

Representation for all taxpayers is critical to voting and no political party stands to gain more than the other, with registered Independent voters split evenly in their choice of candidates. Instead, what we truly gain by repealing closed primaries is a fairer democracy.

Join the overwhelming majority of PA voters in favor of ending closed primaries in PA –  #RepealClosedPrimaries now.

 

Ballot PA is a project of the Committee of Seventy and is a growing coalition of civic, community and business organizations committed to ensuring independents in Pennsylvania have the right to vote in primary elections.

 

Who's signing

Elaine Olson
Diana Dakey
Alan Dakey
Beverley Rhinesmith-Pape
Jacqueline Rogers
Paul Eisenberg
Arlene Mercurio
Anita and Mike Soar
Marie Fulmer
Jeffrey Cooper
William Martin
Susanna Davison
Bonnie Ingram
Elijah Shekinah
Lisa Hyatt Cooper
Cordell Affeldt
Marijane Redmond
Leroy Givler
Arthur Florio
Brian Magee
Khalif Ali
Carver Murphy
Thomas Quinn
2,781 signatures

Will you sign?

  • Elaine Olson
    signed 2022-03-22 20:57:59 -0400
  • Diana Dakey
    signed 2022-03-22 19:04:37 -0400
    Primaries matter and all voters deserve a say.
  • Alan Dakey
    signed 2022-03-22 17:20:22 -0400
    Without ballot reform we will continue to endure the intense partisan politics that halts the legislation we need to address serious issues that need to be addressed. Effective democracy is based on compromise and not the partisan politics we are now suffering from.
  • Beverley Rhinesmith-Pape
    signed 2022-03-22 16:43:53 -0400
  • Jacqueline Rogers
    signed 2022-03-22 16:19:28 -0400
  • Paul Eisenberg
    signed 2022-03-22 16:05:24 -0400
  • Arlene Mercurio
    signed 2022-03-22 16:02:03 -0400
  • Anita and Mike Soar
    signed 2022-03-22 15:58:42 -0400
  • Marie Fulmer
    signed 2022-03-22 15:47:29 -0400
  • Jeffrey Cooper
    signed 2022-03-22 15:45:23 -0400
  • William Martin
    signed 2022-03-22 15:44:18 -0400
  • Susanna Davison
    signed 2022-03-22 15:37:25 -0400
  • Bonnie Ingram
    signed 2022-03-22 15:27:20 -0400
  • Elijah Shekinah
    signed 2022-03-22 15:13:50 -0400
  • Lisa Hyatt Cooper
    signed 2022-03-22 15:02:46 -0400
  • Cordell Affeldt
    signed 2022-03-22 14:59:11 -0400
  • Marijane Redmond
    signed 2022-03-22 14:56:02 -0400
  • Leroy Givler
    signed 2022-03-22 14:51:21 -0400
  • Arthur Florio
    signed 2022-03-22 13:41:34 -0400
    I should not be forced to join one of two major political parties to have a voice and a vote in our Primary elections. Open Pennsylvania Primary elections to all registered voters!
  • Brian Magee
    signed 2022-03-22 12:56:57 -0400
  • Khalif Ali
    signed 2022-03-22 12:39:50 -0400
  • Carver Murphy
    signed 2022-03-22 12:33:20 -0400
  • Thomas Quinn
    signed 2022-03-13 17:27:04 -0400
    PA Youth Vote supports open primaries because many new voters choose to register independent for their first election and are excluded from voting in PA primaries. It’s a lousy introduction to civic life.
  • Anna Havrilla
    published this page 2022-03-07 17:50:02 -0500

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