South Carolina lawmakers clash over proposed changes to primary voting system
FILE – South Carolina state house (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
(WCIV) — Several South Carolina lawmakers and candidates for governor are speaking out Tuesday as a new push to change how South Carolinians vote in primary elections gains publicity.
According to the argument on why House Bill 3310 should pass, Republican lawmakers state that the current system allows voters from opposing parties to influence candidate selection.
Meanwhile Democrats say that open primaries give voters more freedom and encourage stronger candidates.
Congresswoman and candidate for governor, Nancy Mace, released a statement Monday where she endorsed closed primary legislation, saying that the current system is an open invitation for mischief.
“It’s pretty simple: Republicans should choose Republican nominees, and Democrats should choose Democrat nominees,” said Rep. Mace. “Our current system is an open invitation for mischief. Closed primaries protect the integrity of both parties and ensure that nominees actually represent the voters they claim to serve.”
She then goes on to say that political parties should have the option to open their primaries to unaffiliated voters, otherwise voters could change their party registration in order to vote in a primary.
“This isn’t about restricting anyone’s right to vote,” Mace emphasized. “Every South Carolinian can still register with any party they want, or no party at all. This is about letting political parties choose their own nominees without interference from people who don’t share their values.”
“Enough games. Pass the bill. Let Republicans pick Republicans and Democrats pick Democrats. The people of South Carolina deserve nominees who actually represent them.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mullins McLeod also spoke out on the issue, releasing the following statement.
The corrupt political establishment has introduced legislation designed to take power away from the people of South Carolina by closing primary elections. If passed the bill would dictate to voters who they could vote for. The reason the establishment has introduced this legislation is because they are trying to insulate themselves from being held accountable for selling out the people of South Carolina in favor of their for-profit donors. Our current Governor should be sounding the alarm to the people of South Carolina to let us know the political establishment is trying to rig elections to favor their own selfish desires for political power. Instead, the Governor has remained silent. The reason is because corruption doesn’t blow the whistle on corruption. This bill is direct proof that corruption has no conscience. The power in a representative democracy lies with the people, not those they elect to public office. As our State’s next Governor, I will veto any legislation that takes power away from the people of South Carolina.
Currently South Carolina uses an open primary system, meaning voters can choose which party’s primary to vote in regardless of party affiliation. If House Bill 3310 passes, it would not affect general elections.
