The Texas GOP wants independent voters out of primaries. That’s a lousy idea. | Opinion

Taxpayers fund primary elections. Every eligible voter should have the right to participate — not just party loyalists.

The Republican Party of Texas recently filed a lawsuit to shut independent voters out of its primary elections, limiting participation in the often-decisive contests only to voters formally registered with a party. That would be a mistake. Texas’s open primaries — which have existed in some form for over 120 years — give all Texans a meaningful voice, strengthen the legitimacy and accountability of those who win office, and even benefit parties by broadening their appeal and introducing more voters to their candidates.

Open primaries let any registered voter — Republican, Democrat, third-party or unaffiliated — decide which major party’s primary to vote in. The decision does come with limitations: Once a voter makes that choice, state law requires them to remain in that party’s primary for the rest of the election cycle. If you vote in, say, a Republican primary, you can vote only in the Republican run-off elections. But you can then vote for anyone you choose in the general election.

An estimated 3 million Texas voters, or 15% of those registered, are unaffiliated or aligned with minor parties. Gerrymandered districts mean that a vast majority of general election contests tilt heavily in favor of one party. In those districts,  it’s only election of consequence is in the dominant party’s primary. All voters deserve a chance to participate in these races without compromising their First Amendment right to freedom of association.

What’s more, candidates should have to compete for independent voters’ support. Open primaries force candidates to appeal beyond the party’s most locked-in voters. If a politician must appeal not just to their base but persuade independents, too, their rhetoric, platform and outreach all change. As a result, politicians become more responsive to a larger number of voters.

Also, consider the fairness issue. Primaries are paid for with public money. When Texas taxpayers fund an election, every eligible Texan should have access without being forced to publicly identify with a party. It’s unfair to use public funds for what amounts to a private event. If the parties want to return to the old convention-based system for selecting nominees, they are welcome to do so — but only if it’s on their own dime.

Relatedly, closing the primaries would also come with additional costs borne by taxpayers and result in the collection of more personal data. Texans do not currently register with a party. If the Texas GOP is successful in closing the primaries, however, all Texas voters could have to re-register and select a party affiliation. With the federal government looking to create a national database of voter data, and political allegiances increasingly defining our social lives, forcing all voters to formally register with a party may cost Texans more than just money.

The inclusion of independent voters in the primaries not only benefits the voters, it benefits the parties as well. Independents who participate in the primary are introduced to the candidates, and in a tight general election, these voters will be primed to turn out. 

The GOP lawsuit cites two close House races, arguing the “wrong” Republican — that is, the more moderate candidate — won the primaries by less than 800 votes, slim margins that included independents and perhaps even some Democrats. Closing the primary is a gross overreaction.

Competitive elections are a goal, not a drawback. Politicians should have to work to win and retain their positions, not be shielded from accountability in a closed primary followed by an uncompetitive general election. Any voices from outside the base that choose to participate in the primary will only make candidates more representative of their constituents and more accountable. In places where the general election is competitive, it again benefits the party to have a candidate who has already proven broadly attractive, as opposed to one who may only appeal to a narrow base — a dynamic that may be at play in the upcoming Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Open primaries produce more competitive general election candidates.

Closing off the primary system will benefit a handful of politicians while forcing millions of voters to register with a party or give up their chance to participate in a key stage of the electoral process. Elected officials may become less representative and harder to hold accountable. Ultimately, restricting primary participation favors political elites over the people of Texas.