1. PRIMARIES: History and Why it Matters
History
Before 1916 candidates were chosen by legislators. A people’s movement in 1916 demanded more power for the people to decide who should run for office, and the primary system was slowly developed by the state Democratic and Republican Parties.
Primaries are individually sponsored by the state Parties, not the Federal or State government, and each Party has their own rules. PA has “closed” Primaries, meaning only registered voters in the Democratic or Republican Party can vote. Each Party has its own primary ballot and chooses their nominee to run in the General Election in November.
School Board Directors and judges can “Cross File”, meaning they can appear on both Party’s ballots, but ALL VOTERS, including Independents and those registered with a minor party, can vote in the Primary on any constitutional amendments, questions, or special election contests. They will be given a ballot with just these items.
For the May 17, 2022 Primary there are NO constitutional amendments, ballot questions, special election contests or positions that are allowed to Cross File.
Why Primaries MATTER!
History
Before 1916 candidates were chosen by legislators. A people’s movement in 1916 demanded more power for the people to decide who should run for office, and the primary system was slowly developed by the state Democratic and Republican Parties.
Primaries are individually sponsored by the state Parties, not the Federal or State government, and each Party has their own rules. PA has “closed” Primaries, meaning only registered voters in the Democratic or Republican Party can vote. Each Party has its own primary ballot and chooses their nominee to run in the General Election in November.
School Board Directors and judges can “Cross File”, meaning they can appear on both Party’s ballots, but ALL VOTERS, including Independents and those registered with a minor party, can vote in the Primary on any constitutional amendments, questions, or special election contests. They will be given a ballot with just these items.
For the May 17, 2022 Primary there are NO constitutional amendments, ballot questions, special election contests or positions that are allowed to Cross File.
Why Primaries MATTER!
- Democracy is on the ballot. In 2022, our freedoms, our values, our democracy are on the ballot. A strong showing in the Primary shows Democrats are engaged, paying attention and ready to fight for what we believe in!
- All about the base. Most voters in the Primary are the party’s base voters. The more people who come out to vote for a candidate, the stronger the base support.
- Support your preferred candidate. Voting and making sure your friends vote in the Primary is the best way to get your preferred candidates on the ballot for the General Election. Candidates run for office to serve YOU. A large show of support in the Primary gives the candidate extra motivation and enthusiasm to keep working hard all the way to the general election.
- Send a message to the opposition. If a candidate on the Democratic ticket can mobilize more Democratic voters than the Republican candidate, it puts them on notice that Democrats are fired up and ready to turn out.
- Money makes the political world go round. The more support a candidate gets from their voters in the Primary the more likely the candidate will be to receive endorsements and financial support from key donors heading to the general. Money flowing into a campaign increases the odds of success exponentially.