What to know about the push for open primaries in Pennsylvania

More than 3 out of 4 voters in Pennsylvania support opening up the state’s primary elections to independent voters, according to an August 2024 Franklin & Marshall poll.

But despite that broad consensus, and the yearslong push from some state lawmakers and advocates to make it happen, Pennsylvania remains one of the most restrictive states in determining who can participate in primary elections.

Lawmakers have introduced bills to open primaries, but so far, they haven’t gained much traction. Here’s a look at the effort, and where it stands.

According to the National Conference of State Legislators, an “open primary” occurs in states that do not ask voters to select a party when they register to vote, and that allow voters to choose each time which party’s primary they wish to participate in. But the term is often used as a catchall to describe a range of processes, including fully closed or partially open primaries.




https://penncapital-star.com/election-2025/what-to-know-about-the-push-for-open-primaries-in-pennsylvania/