Count Everyone. Everyone Counts!
|
Oregon Unified Primary Act Top-2 Unified Primary Reform (HB 3166 -2) |
Why this Reform?
Closed partisan primaries shut out a huge share of voters, impede fair competition, erect unnecessary bar- riers and limit voter choice. Over 1.3 million registered Oregon voters (43% of the electorate now) are barred from voting in the state’s publicly funded primary elections.
The Oregon Open Primary Act fixes all this and more.
Background. In Oregon, only members of the two major parties can vote and compete in state-funded pri- maries for the state’s most powerful offices – US Senator, Representative in Congress, Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, state Senator, and state Representative. Same holds for county commissioners in 9 of Oregon’s 36 counties.
Who we are. This reform is supported by the Oregon Election Reform Coalition, a cross-partisan coalition of election reformers from all parts of the state and from different democracy reform-minded organiza- tions. HB 3166 is based on work by Oregon Legislative Counsel and national best practices.
Closed partisan primaries shut out a huge share of voters, impede fair competition, erect unnecessary bar- riers and limit voter choice. Over 1.3 million registered Oregon voters (43% of the electorate now) are barred from voting in the state’s publicly funded primary elections.
The Oregon Open Primary Act fixes all this and more.
Background. In Oregon, only members of the two major parties can vote and compete in state-funded pri- maries for the state’s most powerful offices – US Senator, Representative in Congress, Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, state Senator, and state Representative. Same holds for county commissioners in 9 of Oregon’s 36 counties.
Who we are. This reform is supported by the Oregon Election Reform Coalition, a cross-partisan coalition of election reformers from all parts of the state and from different democracy reform-minded organiza- tions. HB 3166 is based on work by Oregon Legislative Counsel and national best practices.
|
What will the Oregon Open Primary Act Do?
|
|
Key Provisions
Opens Primary Elections to All Voters
- Allows all registered voters to vote equally in public primaries and vote from the same ballot; not the multiple ballots of today.
- Enfranchises 43% of voters (non-affiliated voters (NAVs) and minor party members) currently shut out of the partisan primaries which they, as taxpayers, help fund.
- Promotes fair competition. Candidates compete on the same primary ballot, and voters are free to choose any candidate on their ballots.
- Increases voter participation in primary elections, where turnout now is typically only 40% of registered voters.
- Levels the playing field for candidates; equalizes filing requirements; opens the door for diverse, lower-resourced and minor party candidates.
Top 2 Vote-Earners in Primary Advance to General Election for each Office
- Allows the top 5 vote-earning candidates in each primary race to advance to the general election.
- Other unified primary states allow only the top 2 (Washington, California) or top 4 (Alaska) vote-earners advance to the general election. The Oregon Unified Primary Act also allows candidates to qualify for the November ballot by collecting sufficient voter signatures or by means of minor party nominations.
Endorsements Encourage Political Party Participation, Voter Information
- Political parties may officially endorse candidates in the primary and general elections.
- Each candidate can list up to 3 party endorsements next to the candidate's name on the ballot, providing information that many voters consider very important--but only if the party has actually endorsed the candidate.
- Elected leaders will be accountable to broader coalitions of voters.
|
Like the Solution?
Join the Movement! Visit our website to learn more. Sign-up to stay informed. Make a donation. We could use your time and talent as a volunteer! www.electionreform.info [email protected] 
|