The Pros and Cons of Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting

[@scottoconnor3484]

Many thanks to the panelists.

[@BradleyAmon]

The elephant issue is how to increase Informed Voting, not how to count second, third, and fourth choices of people we have little or no familiarity. We have such a painful challenge to get information about the down ballot issues and candidates actual stances. I believe that is why people often are confused, and often don’t vote at least on down ballot sections.

[@scottoconnor3484]

Very glad to hear from Kevin Meyer and Alaska's recent experience, which was good, and positive. Jaime brings the voice of experience, and healthy skepticism. At the end, Steve Goldstein has me in his camp, as a moderate voter having to choose between the lesser of 2 evils in general elections, since Independent's and moderates under the current setup rarely make it to the general election ballot, even though we make up as much of the voting public as either major party does. RCV would level the playing field for those of us in the center.

[@tommyanomaly6193]

Yes it will help everyone who actually wants a choice. Being forced to choose between Coke and Pepsi isn't a choice.

[@SandraDayOConnorInstitute]

Thank you for watching the video and commenting.

[@lyonhawaii]

Yes. Stephen, but it leaves the food choice I do not want on the shelf not in my basket!!!!!!

[@scottoconnor3484]

In Steve's proposal, what is the signature collection burden for candidates? Would independents still need to collect far more than for a candidate within a party?

[@SandraDayOConnorInstitute]

Thank you for the question. Mr. Goldstein's organization is advocating to treat all candidates equally--independent candidates in Arizona would no longer have to compile more signatures than partisan candidates to appear on the ballot.

[@carlreed6186]

As it stands the Independent candidate gets a free pass to the general election. Open primaries is just a tool the GOP has used for decades to try to steal elections from strong democrats. I learned all about in in school. I have a BA in political science. many gop cross over to vote for weak democrats so they do not have to fact the strong ones in the general election.

[@cogent211814]

RCV can be so easily gamed by a wealthy interest.

[@AlfonsoVonB]

It would be helpful to explain how it could be gamed.

[@benicia21]

RCV is too confusing. it also violates the tenet of “one-person, one vote”. some people think they are so smart, but they are just tinkering with something that SHALL NOT be tinkered with

[@carlreed6186]

If you smell a rat usually there is a rat. Open primaries have frequently been used to help the GOP beat strong democrats. In the primary many cross over to vote for the weakest democrat one they can beat in the general election.

[@bryonwatkins1432]

Independent from Las Vegas RIGHT here that actually supported Trump in 2016 which i REGRET!!!! As to your comment, DUMB 🤣😂🤣😂!!!!

[@lyonhawaii]

So the lukewarm candidate wins....

[@mercedesb2299]

If we don't have a choice why is it about getting us to understand what kind of candidates we want to vote for? We aren't stupid. We know damn well who we want to vote for but those people aren't allowed to win either party's primaries. The extremists are the DNC and RNC. It is the Independents that want something EVERYONE is happy with. Ranked choice delivers the candidate that gets the true consensus vote. Why should we care what politicians have to say about it. These are the ones that were forced on us anyway. We want to choose our representatives. I am sick of voting for candidates I hate because you guys are scared of change, and no I don't think that we should pay politicians more. They aren't serving us at all. We don't want them. They are blocking our ability to vote for who we DO want, and you think the answer is to pay them more? This is the problem and why we want a change

[@6spdkeg]

Ranked choice voting is extremely backed and funded by Democrat supporters for a reason.. .. . It wont remove money from primaries, it will add.

[@mikki344]

Hand counting is illegal in Arizona.

[@chriselizaldi8679]

I think an open primary is a bad idea I don’t want a democrat being able to vote against my republican candidate and vice versa for democrats so closed primaries is the way forward and I also think the current system is good for the republic. We are not a democracy I definitely don’t like the new voting system your proposing that system has not turned out for California very well so it’s a new system that isn’t working so you might go with your Dr. Phil expression there too your new way does not work no open primary I don’t want democrats voting against a republican in the primaries I know it changes depending on where you are but can make your primary closed if you want if you’re party is for it we need voter id paper ballot and the rank choice you can’t do a recount is very difficult so no on your new system

[@carlreed6186]

Note all the speakers appear to be Republican and open primaries has always favored the GOP.

[@lyonhawaii]

I don't like it. It deluted my vote.

[@carlreed6186]

It is bad. Traditionally it has help weaker GOP beat strong democrats because many cross over and vote for the weakest democrat.