September 9 is Primary Day in Massachusetts. On this day candidates vie to be placed on the November 4 general election ballot as representing either the Democratic or Republican candidate for major state offices such as Governor or Treasurer. This is the day the final candidates for the two major political parties are selected.
Before the early 20th century Progressive Era the final general election candidates were selected by party bosses, insiders and influence peddlers. One of the major reforms won by the Progressives was wresting political control from the few and spreading it the many. Direct election of political candidates through primary elections was a key victory and one of the central accomplishments of Progressive Era reform championed by President Theodore Roosevelt along with his good friend and political ally the influential reformer Jane Addams (founder of Hull House and in 1931 the first American Woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize).
Massachusetts holds a “semi-closed” state primary. This means that if you are registered as a Republican then you can only vote in the Republican primary and if you are a registered Democrat you can only vote in the Democratic primary but (and here is where it gets interesting) if you are Unenrolled, otherwise known as an Independent, you can actually vote in either the Democratic primary or the Republican primary. After voting you still remain Unenrolled or Independent – no paper work no fuss – just ask for the party ballot you want to vote in and if you are Unenrolled you can vote in whichever primary you choose.
Considering the fact that well over 50% of the electorate are Unenrolled Independents the Massachusetts primary system makes Independents potentially very influential in determining the final general election choices for major state-wide offices such as Governor, Lt. Governor, Treasurer and Auditor. Lots of political power for the people and very easy to exercise it – thank you Jane Addams and Theodore Roosevelt!
Unfortunately voter turnout in state primaries is embarrassingly low, particularly for the oldest ongoing democracy in the world. Our nation was founded in large part by a revolution fought for the right to representation and governance of and by the people. Yet when it comes to selecting, directly by citizens in primaries, the final candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Treasurer, Secretary and Auditor a mere 15 %, and often much lower, of eligible voters show up at the polls.
Voter participation is essential to a viable and healthy democracy. Low primary voter turnout has greatly contributed to the paralyzing deadlock which characterizers the present state of our governing politics. When so few voters take the time to select final candidates that reflect their true views and in the best general interests of their community and society the minority “party zealots”, who do turnout in primaries, in effect select our representatives and leaders – and these leaders too often represent political views outside the mainstream of American society.
It is ironic that the Progressive Era wrested control of the political process from the few powerful insiders only to see the political process again warped by virtue of the many essentially not exercising their new political power – thus ceding control of the political process to extreme minorities who don’t truly reflect the general views and best interests of society as a whole. The result has been a now notorious “deadlock” in our politics and governance. Political leaders who hold extreme views and who are beholden to zealots who hold extreme views are much less inclined towards or capable of compromise. And compromise is an essential ingredient to a successful and sustaining democracy.
So there is every good reason to exercise your hard fought right to vote in the Massachusetts state primary on September 9. And again please remember that, in Massachusetts, primaries are not just for those who are enrolled in a particular political party. In fact our state primaries are an especially opportune time for Independents to vote as they can draw any ballot they want and still not lose their Independent status.
If more Independents voted in Massachusetts and around the country in state primaries they would almost certainly bring our politics back into a more reasoned centered realm where compromise and progress would once again become the hallmark of our politics. An arousal of the Independent voter could well restore America’s image as the envy of the world, a beacon of hope and a shining city upon a hill.
However, I actually came to the conclusion a while ago that closing the primaries to party members might better accomplish this. If you force those on the fence to pick a side the parties would know they are just as much part of the party and have to reckon with them even if they are more moderate than the base. The current system caters to the bases because independents without a stake in the health of the party often just say heck with it and sit out the primary, thus ceding the results to the bases.