The electoral landscape is changing in Maryland as voters registering as unaffiliated with a political party are on the rise. And yet, those voters are locked out of voting in our state-funded primaries unless the principle political parties allow them to vote on their party’s ballot, an event that has happened only once, in 2000. State law determines how nominations for elective office are conducted, so maybe it’s time for Marylanders to review their options and decide if their voting systems need to evolve with the times.
The public is invited to a series of public information sessions in Cambridge and Easton on the Maryland primary election system. Hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Mid-Shore (LWVMS), these sessions are meant to raise public awareness of the issues involved and provide the opportunity to discuss their implications. There will be two sessions: Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 from 6-7:30 pm in Cambridge and Saturday, Nov. 18 from 1-2:30 pm in Easton, each session held in the community meeting room at the main library (303 Gay St in Cambridge and 100 W. Dover St in Easton). Light refreshments will be served.
“One of the greatest things about American democracy is that we not only get to choose our leaders, we can propose changes to ensure that the selection process is fair” says Ralph Watkins, Vice President for Voters Service, League of Women Voters, Maryland and a resource person for these sessions. Democracy is a participatory process; help decide if the Maryland primary system is ripe for change and give your input on how best to change it. For more information about these sessions or about the LWVMS, contact the League at 443-883-5412 or at Jeanne_A_Halpin@lwvmd.org.
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