Let parties hold their own election

I am a 62-year citizen of these United States of America and ashamed of all those self-serving politicians responsible for the manipulation of the election process here in Washington state that significantly limited my right to vote. I am specifically referring to the arbitrary mandate that I must declare party affiliation to vote in primaries. Not only are these conditions imposed upon us without any consideration for the historic voting right, but to rub salt into the wound, the tax dollars of all those not allowed to participate are funding this private, restricted election. If the two parties want to hold a special election to determine who they wish to place on the ballot for the general election, that’s just fine, but only those declaring party affiliation should be funding that process.

Now, according to a Wednesday Herald front page article, area schools are worried that voters may not turn out because of the requirement to declare party affiliation. Perhaps there is good cause for that concern. I know I am not the only citizen incensed by this selfish attack on our traditional right to vote. What is next on the two-party political agenda? Perhaps free speech will be infringed upon by the two parties.

Ron Pooler

Everett