What are nonpartisan primaries?

Nonpartisan primaries are an innovative solution to a problem affecting U.S. politics known as the "Primary Problem." This issue arises because, due to geographic self-sorting and partisan gerrymandering, many general elections at the state and federal levels are not competitive. In these scenarios, the primary election of the dominant party often becomes the de facto general election. This situation leads to several negative outcomes:

• Low Voter Participation: Primary elections tend to have significantly lower turnout compared to general elections, with less than 20% of eligible voters typically participating. This low turnout means that a small, often more ideologically extreme, portion of the electorate effectively decides who represents the majority in Congress.
  
  
• Closed Primaries Exclusion: In closed primary systems, only voters registered with a particular party can vote in that party's primary. This system excludes independent voters and those affiliated with the non-dominant party from participating in the decisive electoral process.
  
  
• Pandering to Extremes: Candidates in primary elections, especially in safe districts where the general election is not competitive, are incentivized to appeal to the most extreme elements of their party's base to secure the nomination. This dynamic can lead to elected officials representing the fringes rather than the broader public interest for fear of being "primaried," as Nick Troiano notes in an interview with Lawrence Lessig of the Another Way podcast.

The solution proposed to combat these issues is the adoption of nonpartisan primaries. In this system, all candidates compete in the same primary, regardless of party affiliation, and all eligible voters can participate. The candidates who receive the most votes — whether they are Top Two, Four, or Five, depending on the state's specific rules — advance to the general election. This system has several key benefits:

• Increased Voter Participation: Nonpartisan primaries increase voter turnout by engaging a broader segment of the electorate. For example, voter turnout in nonpartisan primaries in California and Washington was significantly higher than the national average for partisan primaries.
  
  
• Less Polarization: Studies suggest that nonpartisan primary systems result in the election of less polarizing, more moderate candidates. This shift can lead to more constructive policymaking and representation that more accurately reflects the preferences of the broader electorate.
  
  
• Greater Competition and Choice: Nonpartisan primaries provide voters with more options and encourage competition among candidates, breaking the monopoly a single party may have in certain districts. This dynamic can lead to more responsive and accountable governance.
  
  
• Inclusivity: By allowing all voters to participate, regardless of party affiliation, nonpartisan primaries ensure that the electoral process is more inclusive and democratic. This inclusivity is paramount in states with many independent voters.

Evidence from states like California, Washington, and Nebraska, which have implemented nonpartisan primaries, shows positive voter engagement trends and candidates' moderation.

While nonpartisan primaries represent a significant reform aimed at improving democratic engagement and reducing polarization, other primary systems, such as open and semi-open primaries, offer incremental steps towards increasing voter participation and ensuring that election outcomes reflect the broader will of the people. While still based on party lines, these systems allow for greater voter choice and participation in the primary process, leading to outcomes that better represent the electorate's diverse views.

To learn more about the benefits of nonpartisan primaries and the steps states can take to improve representation, check Nick Troiano's new book, The Primary Solution: Rescuing our Democracy from the Fringes, now available for purchase.