Oklahomas 261,000 independent voters would be allowed to cast votes in Democratic primary elections under a proposal state party delegates are expected to support in a meeting next month.
The move is intended to show the party is inclusive of differing viewpoints and is aimed at boosting support for Democratic candidates in a state dominated by the GOP.
The ranks of independent voters have been increasing in Oklahoma.
Twenty years ago, independents made up only about 5 percent of registered voters. They now represent nearly 13 percent. The rest of the electorate is about evenly balanced between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans holding a slight edge.
Some Democrats feel they can begin to turn around their party's fortunes if they can tap the growing number of independents.
Mark Hammons, state Democratic party chairman, said a majority favored the proposal when party delegates met last month but time ran out before the issue could be decided. They are to meet again on July 25 at Oklahoma City Community College.
"It looks like it has pretty significant support, the margins were pretty high," Hammons said. "Our political philosophy is one of inclusion and accepting a broad range of political views."
Independent support
By engaging independent voters early in the election cycle, party leaders hope they might see more independent support in fall general elections.
State Sen. David Holt, R-Edmond, said that if independents are allowed to participate in Democratic primaries, the Republican party could be cast in a bad light if it didn't follow suit.
"We're then the party denying a group of people that includes disproportionately large numbers of members of the Millennial Generation," he said. "If one party seems more welcoming than another, than the one that seems not as welcoming has to think about their next move and whether they need to match what the opposition is doing."
Lagging voter turnout might be increased if independents were allowed to participate in party primaries.
Also, a broader range of political views might be aired, said state Treasurer Ken Miller, who, like all statewide Oklahoma elected officials, is a Republican.
"Politicians do not always make rational policy decisions, but they usually make rational political ones," Miller said. "Because many elections are now decided in a Republican primary, candidates and their consultants often aim their messages at those most likely to show up to vote in a primary which tends to be a small group more to the right of general election voters."
Does this tend to minimize moderate views?
"If by moderate you mean temperate, judicious, thoughtful and discerning, then yes," Miller said.
He said there is a lack of these attributes in the way the state handles its finances.
"Examples would be persistent structural budget problems, where core services are not properly funded with recurring revenues, and a continual focus on cutting the income tax while failing to address comprehensive tax reform to modernize an outdated system," Miller said.
GOP chairman opposed
Randy Brogdon, the tea party favorite who is chairman of the state Republican party, has no interest in allowing independents to participate in GOP primaries.
"A majority of the independents have come from the Republican party primarily because we haven't done an excellent job of promoting Republican principles of limited government and lower taxes," he said. "We want to give them a reason to come back."
He also said Democrats would be making a mistake if they open up their primaries.
"It's a great way to water down your base and it would probably have a negative effect on the Democratic party, which is fine with me," he said.
Rep. Scott Inman, D-Del City, said he doubts Republicans would open their primaries.
"Their primaries are ideological wars," he said. "Their candidates fight for the far right and the base of their party enjoys that and wants that."
http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-democr...eir-primary-elections/article/5429079/?page=2
The move is intended to show the party is inclusive of differing viewpoints and is aimed at boosting support for Democratic candidates in a state dominated by the GOP.
The ranks of independent voters have been increasing in Oklahoma.
Twenty years ago, independents made up only about 5 percent of registered voters. They now represent nearly 13 percent. The rest of the electorate is about evenly balanced between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans holding a slight edge.
Some Democrats feel they can begin to turn around their party's fortunes if they can tap the growing number of independents.
Mark Hammons, state Democratic party chairman, said a majority favored the proposal when party delegates met last month but time ran out before the issue could be decided. They are to meet again on July 25 at Oklahoma City Community College.
"It looks like it has pretty significant support, the margins were pretty high," Hammons said. "Our political philosophy is one of inclusion and accepting a broad range of political views."
Independent support
By engaging independent voters early in the election cycle, party leaders hope they might see more independent support in fall general elections.
State Sen. David Holt, R-Edmond, said that if independents are allowed to participate in Democratic primaries, the Republican party could be cast in a bad light if it didn't follow suit.
"We're then the party denying a group of people that includes disproportionately large numbers of members of the Millennial Generation," he said. "If one party seems more welcoming than another, than the one that seems not as welcoming has to think about their next move and whether they need to match what the opposition is doing."
Lagging voter turnout might be increased if independents were allowed to participate in party primaries.
Also, a broader range of political views might be aired, said state Treasurer Ken Miller, who, like all statewide Oklahoma elected officials, is a Republican.
"Politicians do not always make rational policy decisions, but they usually make rational political ones," Miller said. "Because many elections are now decided in a Republican primary, candidates and their consultants often aim their messages at those most likely to show up to vote in a primary which tends to be a small group more to the right of general election voters."
Does this tend to minimize moderate views?
"If by moderate you mean temperate, judicious, thoughtful and discerning, then yes," Miller said.
He said there is a lack of these attributes in the way the state handles its finances.
"Examples would be persistent structural budget problems, where core services are not properly funded with recurring revenues, and a continual focus on cutting the income tax while failing to address comprehensive tax reform to modernize an outdated system," Miller said.
GOP chairman opposed
Randy Brogdon, the tea party favorite who is chairman of the state Republican party, has no interest in allowing independents to participate in GOP primaries.
"A majority of the independents have come from the Republican party primarily because we haven't done an excellent job of promoting Republican principles of limited government and lower taxes," he said. "We want to give them a reason to come back."
He also said Democrats would be making a mistake if they open up their primaries.
"It's a great way to water down your base and it would probably have a negative effect on the Democratic party, which is fine with me," he said.
Rep. Scott Inman, D-Del City, said he doubts Republicans would open their primaries.
"Their primaries are ideological wars," he said. "Their candidates fight for the far right and the base of their party enjoys that and wants that."
http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-democr...eir-primary-elections/article/5429079/?page=2
