With increased political polarization, rules governing who can participate in primary elections have received more attention from advocates looking to reduce that polarization. That has led to an election reform movement across the country that during this past election put nine ballot measures before voters across seven states and Washington, seeking to reform current systems.
Reformers argue that party-focused systems exclude large swaths of independent voters who do not identify with any political party. Since candidates need to appeal to their party’s base in order to advance to the general election, the choices voters are left with in November tend to represent party interests.
