Primary elections cost taxpayers roughly $75 million annually. So why does PA shut out the 1.4 million independent voters who help pay for them?

That's Taxation Without Representation

Watch: PA House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D) on "the benefits of an open primary" (March 2025)

The Issue

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, roughly 1.4 million voters are registered as independent or unaffiliated with a political party. This segment of the state’s electorate has been increasing for years - and is now the fastest growing segment of voters. That’s true around the country, where almost half of all voters now identify as independents. But in Pennsylvania, these voters are prevented from participating in the local, state and federal primaries–elections that 90% of the time are the most important elections in their communities.

From local council or commissioner to the U.S. presidency, more than one out of every seven registered voters are barred from having a say in a critical part of the electoral process. This occurs despite the fact that primaries, which cost local and state governments roughly $75 million, paid from the pockets of every Pennsylvanian regardless of their political affiliation. That's why it's time to repeal PA's closed primaries.

The current system guarantees that fewer voters participate, elections are less competitive, and our elected representatives are less accountable to all their constituents.

Ballot PA believes in:

• Fairness in representation: Roughly 1.4 million Pennsylvanians are shut out of primary elections that often determine who represents them.
• No taxation without representation: Primary elections are funded with tax dollars from every Pennsylvanian regardless of whether they can participate.
• Accountability in elections: Public officials should be accountable to the electorate at large, not party bases. 
  

The Solution

Repealing Closed Primaries in Pennsylvania will ensure that ALL voters matter and ALL votes count. 

Ballot PA supports repealing the closed primary process for Pennsylvania's elections.

Closed primaries have been used in the Commonwealth for generations. But our politics have changed; our communities have changed; our voters have changed. So should our elections.

Legislation (HB 280) introduced in the 2025 - 2026 PA General Assembly would allow the 1.4 million independent and unaffiliated voters shut out of primary elections in Pennsylvania to choose a Democratic or Republican ballot. 

Watch: Former Governor Tom Corbett (R) on allowing Independents to vote (March 2025). 

Polling

A vast majority of polls conducted across the state suggest Pennsylvania voters support open primaries. The latest poll on this issue came from an Franklin & Marshall's Center for Public Opinion and Research. Their August 2024 poll of 920 Pennsylvania voters found that:

• Almost 8 in 10 (77%) registered Pennsylvania voters favor primary elections that allow registered independent voters to participate in the primary election of their choice; and
• Nearly a third (31%) of voters said that allowing independents to vote in open primaries would make them likely to change their party registration.

Who Are Independent Voters in Pennsylvania?

1. The ranks of independent voters have been growing for more than 20 years, and are now the fastest growing segment of the electorate.
2. More people than ever are registering as Independent, including those who change from one of the major political parties.
3. Independents are more racially diverse, with Asian and Latino voters much more likely to be registered with no major political party.

Read more from the Independent Voter Project's 2022 Report here.

Summary of House Bill 280 and Senate Bill 400 Legislation

Written by Art Florio

State Representative Jared Solomon has introduced House Bill 280 (HB280), and State Senator Dan Laughlin has introduced Senate Bill 400 (SB 400). These Bills will:

Figure 1: Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Application

1. Allow voters registered as “independents” to participate in primary elections. The law defines an independent voters as a citizen who selected "None (no affiliation)” on their voter registration forms or, selected "Other" and wrote in a clear preference to be independent regarding membership in a political party. (See Figure 1 above of Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Application).
2. The independent elector's choice of a political party in one primary election will not prevent the independent voter from choosing a different party’s ballot in a later primary election.
3. This means that independent voters can also choose to vote by absentee or mail-in ballot on either a Democrat or a Republican ballot.
4. Voters who are registered with either the Democrat or Republican Party will continue to be required to vote on their respective party ballots.
5. Independents are not permitted to vote for any political party committee candidate or a delegate or alternate delegate to any political party convention.

FAQ

Written by Tasliym Morales

1. What is HB280 and SB400?

PA House Bill 280 (HB 280) and Senate Bill 400 are proposed amendments to the Pennsylvania Election Code. The bills would end Pennsylvania’s closed primary system by allowing unaffiliated (Independent) voters to participate in primary elections. If passed, voters who are not registered with either the Republican or Democratic parties could choose one party's primary ballot to vote on during primary election day.

2. Who is considered an unenrolled voter in Pennsylvania?

An unenrolled voter, often referred to as an Independent, is a registered voter who has chosen not to affiliate with any political party. In Pennsylvania’s current closed primary system, these voters are excluded from voting in partisan primaries, despite paying taxes that fund them.

3. Who is affected by HB280 and SB400?

1.4 million Independent voters in Pennsylvania by giving them a voice in primary elections.
All registered voters as open primaries can lead to more competitive and representative general elections.
Candidates, who may campaign to a broader cross-section of the electorate.

4. How will PA HB 280 and SB400 improve the electoral process?

Expand voter access and participation, especially for unaffiliated voters who are currently disenfranchised during primaries.
Enhance fairness by ensuring tax-funded elections are open to all registered voters.
Encourage broader candidate appeal, potentially leading to less polarization and more moderate policymaking.
Increase transparency and clarity in election procedures by updating outdated provisions of the Election Code.

5. Why does this matter?

Opening Pennsylvania’s primaries is a step toward a more inclusive, fair, and representative democracy. Your voice matters especially when you use it to demand a more equitable electoral system.

5 Reasons to Repeal Closed Primaries