Former Governor Kulongoski Launches Urgent Push for Open Primaries

UPDATE: Former Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski is leading a groundbreaking campaign to open the state’s primaries to all voters, an urgent shift that could reshape elections in Oregon. The current system restricts voting rights in primaries to registered party members, leaving out a significant portion of the electorate — a situation Kulongoski deems “unfair.”

The initiative, known as Initiatives 55 and 56, aims to amend the Oregon constitution by introducing a “top two” primary system. This would allow all candidates to compete in a single primary, with the top two advancing to the general election. Kulongoski, 85, is spearheading this effort amid a growing wave of independent voters who now make up approximately 37% of the state’s electorate, surpassing both registered Democrats and Republicans.

In a recent interview with KGW, Kulongoski highlighted the need for change, stating, “All of the non-affiliated voters and the independent voters are paying taxes to the state to run the state election… but we’re not allowing them to vote. And I think that’s wrong.”

The former governor’s campaign comes as non-affiliated voters represent a significant demographic in Oregon, particularly in 21 of the 36 counties and five of the six congressional districts, where they outnumber party affiliates. Kulongoski’s initiative seeks to empower these voters and promote a more inclusive electoral process.

This isn’t the first attempt to open Oregon’s primaries; a similar effort in 2014 failed by a large margin. However, Kulongoski believes the shifting voter demographics, fueled by the Motor Voter law, may now favor change. The law has simplified the registration process, encouraging many voters to choose not to affiliate with major parties.

Joining Kulongoski in this effort are leaders from both the Republican and Independent parties, as they work to gather the necessary signatures to place the initiatives on the ballot for November 2024. Kulongoski argues that increasing voter participation can lead to a more moderate political landscape, stating, “They’re unhappy with their government. They’re unhappy with their party. Having more people involved in the process will moderate the system instead of extremes.”

The former governor’s campaign underscores a growing trend in American politics: a desire for reform that reflects the evolving electorate. As Oregon’s political landscape continues to change, Kulongoski’s push for open primaries could become a pivotal moment in the state’s democratic process.

As this initiative gains momentum, all eyes will be on Oregon to see if voters will embrace a system that allows them to have a say in the primaries, directly affecting the state’s future. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.