Mr. Amundson asks a fair question, but I think he overlooks an important principle.
Political parties are voluntary organizations. Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Constitution Party members and others come together around shared values and ideas. It doesn’t seem unreasonable that the members of those organizations should have a say in choosing who represents them on the ballot.
We don’t allow nonmembers to vote for the leadership of private organizations, labor unions, churches or civic groups. Why should political parties be any different?
I also think it’s worth pointing out that any South Dakotan is free to register with the political party that best reflects their values, whether that’s Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Constitution Party or another recognized party. Those who choose to register as independents typically do so for a reason. Many value their independence and have intentionally decided not to affiliate with any political party. That is their right, and it should be respected.
But if someone chooses not to join a political party, it doesn’t necessarily follow that they should help decide that party’s nominee. Rights come with choices, and voter registration is one of those choices.
The author [Amundson] argues that allowing everyone to vote in every primary would be more inclusive. Maybe. But inclusion isn’t the only value worth protecting. Freedom of association matters too. People should have the right to join together around common beliefs and select the candidates who best represent those beliefs.
Independent voters already have a powerful voice. They help decide every general election, where public offices are actually won and lost. Their votes matter just as much as anyone else’s.
The real question isn’t whether we can make the system more inclusive. The question is whether political parties should be required to surrender control over selecting their own nominees, even to people who have deliberately chosen not to be members.
Reasonable people can disagree on that question. But it’s not nearly as simple as “everyone should get a vote” in a primary of a political party of which you are not a part.
Sometimes simple solutions create bigger problems than they solve.
Ezra Hays
Piedmont
Excellent article. Well stated.
If they don’t want government control over their party then they shouldn’t be funded by tax dollars to run their primaries.
Political parties are leeches on the system. If they want to be private organizations then they should act like one.