In response to the March 4 letter to the editor from Val Burg, regarding party selection on the primary election ballots:

You stated that you are a Republican, and so will not vote to choose the Democratic nominee for the 2020 race.

Yes. That is exactly why citizens are required to indicate the party they are registered for. The party system (even with its flaws) is to help assure people that those they vote for share their ideologies and values. Just as Democrats do not want Republicans to have a say in who their party nominates, so too, Republicans should not want Democrats to have a say in their nomination of a candidate.

For the main election in November, voters may cast a ballot without designating a party affiliation. They can cross party lines however and for whomever they wish.

Also: How you vote, in any election is not a matter of public record; we are guaranteed the right of a secret ballot. (Off topic: a guarantee highly threatened by the very idea of voting online!) What does remain public information for 60 days is the party you designated.

I believe this is why the Democratic Party is giving such heavy consideration to choosing a candidate who will appeal to those Republicans who do intend to cross party lines in November. But the requirement of voting in the primary according to registered party is to prevent the opposition from “stacking the deck” for their own party.

The key for all of us is to stay involved. Thanks for reading.

Nedra Gallagher

Everett