Open primaries are no threat to conservatism — they're a return to it | Opinion

As a lifelong conservative, a Republican pollster, and someone who has spent decades helping Republican candidates win in Oklahoma and across the country, I understand the instinct to be cautious when it comes to changes in how we conduct our elections. But I also believe that when a system no longer serves the principles we claim to uphold, we must be willing to reform it.

That’s why I support State Question 836 — the ballot initiative proposing open primaries — and why I believe my fellow conservatives should, too.

Let me be clear: SQ 836 is not about allowing Democrats to vote in Republican primaries. It proposes instead to eliminate partisan primaries altogether and restore fairness and accountability to a system that’s increasingly broken. Under SQ 836, all candidates — Republican, Democrat, independent or otherwise —appear on the same ballot, and all voters, regardless of party, get to choose the candidate they believe is best. The top two vote-getters then advance to the general election.

No one should have to join a political party to cast a vote | Opinion