Wrong to require voters to declare party

I just did something I’ve never done before during an election season: I threw away my ballot.

Even though the Washington primary may be considered somewhat of a wasted exercise and the party candidates for November a foregone conclusion to this point, it still gives us an opportunity to participate in the process.

My ballot went to the recycle bin for one reason. I’m asked to declare my party affiliation. I’ve never unconditionally goose-stepped and saluted to one party or the other or the other or the other. Nor have I ever had an explanation as to why this is a requirement to vote in the primary.

Asking a registered voter to check one box and one box only otherwise you don’t count, is asking for blind allegiance. Let the candidates running for the various offices be saddled with that prerequisite, not the voters.

Rex Jennings

Snohomish