Party members only should vote There is another legislative proposal that would open the primary election to independent voters. This is a mistake. Primary elections are held to let party members select one of their own to run for office. Opening this process to people who decline to state a party affiliation weakens members' power to choose candidates. They threaten the integrity of political parties.
Many voters prefer to remain independent and there is nothing wrong with that.
They can pick and choose from the ideological stances of all parties and among candidates. But by remaining independent, they forfeit being part of a party's candidate selection process. Republicans ought to select Republican candidates and Democrats should determine who will carry the Democratic banner. Fairness in special elections Another proposal would permit moving the date of a special election if an objection emerges. This stems from Democratic chicanery in setting the January special election for the late Al O. Plant's legislative seat in Wilmington.