Bipartisan commission endorses Open Primaries as a way to reduce partisan gridlock in Congress. High-Powered Bi-Partisan Groups Bold Proposal Applauded By Open Primary Supporters ~Key national figures call for open primary concept to increase voter participation~ (Portland, OR) Just one day after the Every Oregon Voter Counts Petition Committee set a new record in Oregon for the fastest signature gathering effort to open every election to every voter in Oregon, a high profile, bi-partisan group released a report that touts open primaries as one way to ease the partisanship plaguing the nations politics at every level of government. This politically diverse and experienced group knows partisan gridlock firsthand. Were happy that they agree that opening Oregon elections to every voter every time can provide real choices to help break this toxic cycle and move our state and country forward, said Jim Kelly, the chief petitioner for an open primary in Oregon. They have made a bold statement by taking the right tone in making a very thoughtful proposal that individuals on all sides of the political aisle can find common accord to support. The Bipartisan Policy Centers Commission on Political Reform spent 18-months studying and crafting the report which outlines a number of important findings, key amongst them was the adoption of a concept that would increase voter participation in elections by altering the structure of primaries so that independents and/or members of other parties would be allowed to vote in currently partisan primaries. Having leaders like for former Senate Majority Leaders Daschle and Lott as well as former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm speaking about truly reforming our political process further encourages our effort to ensure that every Oregon voter has a voice in all elections, he added. According the USA Today, the 109-page report was created by a bipartisan group that includes former Senate majority leaders, Cabinet secretaries, governors, White House officials and others and is a substantive list of ideas that the group contends could ease the friction that has contributed to fiscal cliffs, government shutdowns and a record low public approval rating for Congress. Read The Bipartisan Policy Centers Commission on Political Reform Report Here: bipartisanpolicy.org/projects/commission-political-reform Commission advisors include, Tom Daschle (SD-D), former Senate majority leader; Trent Lott (MS-R), former Senate majority leader; Margaret Spellings, former secretary of Education; Dan Glickman (KS-D), a former Agriculture secretary and congressman; Vicki Kennedy, co-founder of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate; Dirk Kempthorne (ID-R), a former Interior secretary and governor and senator; Olympia Snowe (ME-R), former senator; and Karen Hughes, former undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. The proposed ballot measure here in Oregon would replace Democratic and Republican party primaries with a single primary election open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation, including independents. All candidates for a particular office would be listed on a single ballot and every voter would be able to choose one candidate. The top two voter getters would advance to the general election. This change would give every Oregon voter an equal voice, in every election. This change in the electoral process would apply to all currently partisan local and state races. This includes all 90 Oregon legislative races; 4 statewide offices (Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer and Secretary of State;) U.S. Senate and Congressional elections; and some county elections still held on a partisan basis. Due to federal law, this does not apply to the Presidential primary. Washington state voters approved the use of a similar open primary system beginning in 2008, and California voters adopted the open primary system beginning in 2012.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 21:29:10 +0000
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