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Bomke's legislation,
Senate Bill 250, eliminates the requirement that a voter declare
party affiliation when voting in a primary election. The voter will
receive the primary ballot of each of the established political
parties' nominated candidates for office at the primary election but
may cast a ballot of only one political party.
"The open primary will be great for voter
participation," said Bomke. "My hope is that nonpartisan and
independent voters will feel encouraged to participate in the
process because they don't have to stick with one party."
If voters are allowed to help select the nominees,
then they may be more likely to vote in the general election, since
one of the candidates could be someone they voted for. Also, a
moderate member of one party may agree more with a candidate for the
nomination of another party.
"In 2006, only 25 percent of registered voters voted
in the primary," Bomke said. "I would like to see the percentage of
voters go up in the primary and the general elections. As the
greatest democracy in history, the United States should and can do
better than that."
[Text from file sent on behalf of
Sen.
Larry Bomke by Illinois
Senate Republican staff] |
