Open Primaries
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Open Primaries

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. That's why we launched Ballot PA, to repeal closed primaries.

Open Primaries vs. Closed Primaries

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, nearly 1.1 million voters are registered as unaffiliated with a political party or with a third party. This segment of the state’s electorate has been increasing for years, consistent with a national trend of voters identifying as independents. But in Pennsylvania, these voters are prevented from participating in the local, state and federal primaries that are likely the most important elections in their communities.

Closed Primaries

This system guarantees that fewer voters participate, elections are less competitive and, ultimately, political polarization is reinforced, contributing to legislative gridlock and hampering good governance.

Open Primaries

Opening Pennsylvania's primary elections will ensure that ALL voters matter and ALL votes count.

The Issue

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 ~$20 million each spring, are funded with tax dollars from every Pennsylvanian regardless of their political affiliation.

This system guarantees that fewer voters participate, elections are less competitive and, ultimately, political polarization is reinforced, contributing to legislative gridlock and hampering good governance.

The Solution

The Committee of Seventy is leading Ballot PA (formerly Open Primaries PA), a growing coalition of civic, community and business organizations committed to open and free elections in Pennsylvania that lead to responsive and accountable government.

We invite every Pennsylvanian to sign our petition to #RepealClosedPrimaries. 

Further, there is legislation introduced in PA General Assembly that would allow those 1.1 million independent and unaffiliated voters shut out of primary elections in Pennsylvania to choose a Democratic or Republican ballot. We support this legislation and urge members of both parties to sign on.

Open Primaries PA
Fairness in representation
More than one million Pennsylvanians are shut out of primary elections that often determine who represents them.
Accountability in elections
Public officials should be accountable to the electorate at large. 74% of Pennsylvanians support repealing closed primaries - including strong majorities of Independents, Democrats, and Republicans.
No taxation without representation
Primary elections are funded with tax dollars from every Pennsylvanian regardless of whether they can participate.

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

However, there are numerous other election systems to consider, and we encourage an informed debate around which would best serve the voters and the Commonwealth.

Learn more abut Ballot PA
Open Primary Variations
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there are six types of primary elections, all of which are more inclusive and include a broader swath of the electorate than the closed primary system used in Pennsylvania. Several variations include:
Open to Unaffiliated Voters
Unaffiliated voters can participate in any party primary they choose, but voters who are registered with one party are not allowed to vote in another party’s primary.
Open
Voters may choose privately in which primary to vote.
Top Two
Every voter, regardless of party registration, uses the same ballot listing all candidates. The top two vote-getters in each race, regardless of party, advance to the general election.