Pushing people to the polls is what we do every year, twice a year. In the event of special elections, it might even be more. But primaries are different. It’s not about making sure every voter shows up because not every voter is involved. It’s getting Democrats and Republicans to do the job of picking their parties’ nominees — the dress rehearsal for the general election in November.
Pennsylvania has a closed primary. Only those who registered as members of a particular party ahead of time get to cast a ballot in those races.
But that trains independents and third-party voters not to show up for primaries. Why should they?
Because sometimes that’s when other decisions are made.
Regardless of party affiliation, any voter can make their voice heard on a referendum on their ballot. Sometimes that could be a statewide initiative like a change to Pennsylvania’s constitution. Sometimes it’s a local ballot question. Your municipality might be asking residents about a consolidation. It might be about a bond issue. A school district could seek approval to exceed the allowable tax increase.
As voters head to the polls today, those in Greensburg will be asked to make amendments to the home rule charter that would eliminate residency requirements for city administration, strike demands for a specific number of fire companies and change bidding thresholds.
In Pittsburgh, voters can weigh in on a referendum that would change how the city handles public notices for hearings. The ballot question asks whether those notices could be published through successor media or digital options like the city’s own website instead of requiring publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
All of these are important questions. People should weigh in on them.
But if that input matters, those questions should get the most attention possible.
While ballot questions can bring independents and third-party voters to the polls, they are not the default in primary elections. Primaries also have lower turnout among Democrats and Republicans, who may not care which of their parties’ candidates make it through the first stage of elections.
Yes, it is incumbent on voters to be educated about the issues on the ballot in every election so they can make well-informed decisions. But it also should be on the government entities posing the questions to put them in front of as many voters as possible.
Elections are not just about making choices. They are about making sure everyone can participate.
