On May 19, the Oregon Independent Party announced that it will let independent voters participate in its primary in 2018, just as it did in 2016. The Democratic and Republican Parties of Oregon do not permit independents to vote in their primaries. Oregon’s other ballot-qualified parties are not entitled to their own primary, and nominate by convention. The Independent Party qualifies for a primary because it continues to have registration above 5% of the state total.
I instant reaction to this headline was that it must have come from the Onion. 🙂
I’ve never been a fan of the word ‘independent’ being used on ballots and as party names exactly for that same instant reaction. I’ve always been concerned it could ‘trick’ those who don’t read closely to voting for and/or joining the party, and while of course I’d love everyone in the country to vote third-party, I’d prefer it not happen in that way. Maybe it’s not a big deal at all, but it just has always bothered me.
More or less control freak statism — for 6,000 plus years
NO such thing as *independent* statism ???