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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Chris King |
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King: bill would give independents, non-party voters a say in state primary
HARRISBURG, April 9 – State Rep. Chris King, D-Bucks, has introduced legislation (H.B. 2462) that would allow Pennsylvanians registered as independents and non-party voters to vote in state primary elections.
Under current state law, residents must be registered as either a Democrat or Republican to vote in a primary. Additionally, they may only vote for candidates of their registered party. This means residents registered non-partisan or affiliated with third parties, such as the Green Party and independent voters, cannot vote in the state primary election.
"This year’s presidential primary race has influenced an increased level of registered voters in Pennsylvania," King said. "Not all of our voters are registered in one of the two major parties. My bill would make it easier for all Pennsylvanians to vote and give many more voters the chance to have their voices heard in primaries."
King said that under his bill, third-party voters would still need to select which party ballot to vote on in the primary.
Additionally, a voter’s choice of parties in one primary election would not prevent that voter from choosing a different party in a later primary election.
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