On April 23, 1.3 Million Voters Were Shut Out in Pennsylvania: Another primary day and yet again independent Pennsylvanians were barred from taxpayer funded primaries–this includes a majority of young voters and nearly 50% of our veterans.

These primaries effectively decided the vast majority of PA legislative races. More than 75% of the state’s elections for the U.S. House were decided this week, not in November. Independent voters had no say in who represents them in 75% of Pennsylvania races. Wow.  

Good news.  There is a growing drumbeat - Democrats, Republicans, independents alike - calling for the repeal of closed primaries in the Keystone State:  

• Nick Troiano in US News  
• Kate Huangpu in PA Spotlight
• David Thornburgh on NBC News Philadelphia
• Natalie Bencivenga in PA Capital-Star

To learn more about the effort to #repealclosedprimaries in Pennsylvania, visit www.ballotpa.org 

ARIZONA: Make Elections Fair AZ open primaries initiative is expected to get all the needed signatures to make it on Arizona's 2024 ballot! This is one of the most important initiatives on the ballot anywhere in the country this November and we're proud to support their whole team in making this a reality.

SOUTH DAKOTA: WE DID IT! We raised $51,984 to support SD Open Primaries and the Open Primaries South Dakota Education Fund over the past 10 days ... and that means we qualify to receive a $50,000 matching gift from open primaries leader and supporter Guy Cammilleri.  Thank you to everyone who contributed. We received donations from $6 up to $20,000 and it added up to success! The team is weeks away from submitting their signatures and they fully expect to be on the 2024 ballot.  

OHIO: GOP lawmakers are pushing to close the primaries again. Since the start of the last Legislative session last year, 4 closed primary bills have been introduced. 

WASHINGTON DC: Lisa D.T. Rice is hard at work educating and talking with DC voters about the Make All Votes Count DC campaign to open the primaries to independent DC voters. Watch her recount one of the many conversations she’s had with DC voters:

Let Us Vote continues to grow–we’re well on our way to 10,000 supporters and 500 stories from independents by Memorial Day! This week the campaign is featuring independent voter Mike Escobar– decorated Marine Corps veteran. Half of all veterans identify as political independents, which means millions of veterans can't vote in primaries.  

But listen to Mike in his own words:

If you’re an independent voter–share your story with Let Us Vote today!

Have a great weekend, 

The Open Primaries Team