Op-Ed: It's time to pass legislation in Pa. permitting independents to vote in primaries

Independents choose their status for many valid reasons: to keep political beliefs private from an employer, to avoid perceived bias in service, or simply because neither major party reflects their values. Requiring them to temporarily register with a party to vote in primaries is an unnecessary barrier—and it undermines fair representation.

Addressing his county’s election office error last fall, when a poll worker printed the poll books for the primary instead of the general election) Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell writes, “Seeing these tens of thousands of voters feel like they weren’t being treated equally… was an eye-opening reminder that the way our commonwealth handles independent voters simply isn’t fair.”

He notes, “Whatever their reason for registering as independent, they should not be denied the full right to vote granted to voters who choose to register as members of political parties.”

House Bill 280 would allow independents to vote in primaries, ensuring that all Pennsylvanians have an equal voice in every election.