Just when you think Florida couldn’t possibly complicate things more when it comes to presidential primaries, there’s a bill starting to generate bi-partisan interest in Tallahassee that could do just that. Through the efforts of state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, and 10 other legislators from both sides of the aisle, we have Senate Bill 2776, which would open presidential primaries to all voters.
On its face it sounds fine, even ideal. Very democratic — with a small “d.” Florida has about 2 million voters without party affiliation. If SB 2776 passes, they could choose a party primary and vote in it. “This would end disenfranchisement,” reasons Sen. Dockery.
Maybe what we need is a moratorium-on-disenfranchisement-rhetoric bill. If ever a term begged for context — and not a knee-jerk response — it’s “disenfranchisement.” We’re not talking Jim Crow poll taxes and literacy tests here.
We’re talking about only those who willfully choose to affiliate with a political party being eligible to participate in said party’s choosing of its presidential candidate. Is that somehow anathema to democracy? If you have willingly opted not to join a party, why should you be accorded the right to influence its decision regarding its nominee? Or worse yet, the right to possible mischief – depending on your agenda.
Those who are precluded from voting in a given party’s primary by virtue of their non-affiliated status are not being disenfranchised. In fact, it gives sophistry a bad name.
Want a primary vote? Join a party. What a concept.