It's always been my understanding that Independents cannot vote in the primaries. If that's incorrect, however, I would LOVE to know.

When I looked at the ballot it seemed almost pointless since everyone was pretty much unopposed except for a few races. In those I picked whomever had the least annoying ads.

John, I know that many of my friends were sick of the negative ads—so I understand what you mean.

I voted because it is my right as a citizen and to honor the memory of those who have sacrificed so much that I might have that right.

Indeed!

I voted because it is my civic duty, but I have to say that I am rather tired of PA not mattering when it comes to the Presidential elections. By the time it gets to our state we are irrelevant in how we vote. I wish that wasn't the cast and that there was a primary that took place at the same time all over the country.

I agree Julie. One primary date across the country might be more fair to the candidates and electorate.

Not voting is inexcusable. There is more going on than selecting a predetermined presidential candidate.

John McChesney

I haven't missed an election since I have been old enough to vote. Voted yesterday.

Agreed, Mike! I have always thought registered independents should have an opportunity to vote in primary elections.

if so-called "Independents" want to vote in Democrat or Republican primaries, they should register as Democrats or Republicans. Party primaries are party business. By registering as Independents, you are saying you don't care about Democrat or Republican party business. Of course Independents can alway run their own slate of candidates, but that would require taking a postion and responsiblity, which Independent seek to avoid. There is nothing "rigged," about Pennsylvania primaries. Sign up or shut up. You

Very well said Erin. I am also a fellow independent and agree with everything you said. I think it's like 14 states or so that does not allow independents to vote in primaries (except for special elections). I hope to see that change also, but at the same time I knew that when I switched from democrat to independent.

I voted because it is my civic duty. I take interest in our government because it has much influence on how our society works and directs the paths of our culture. I see today's report that only about 20% of the registered voters did vote on Tuesday. I don't know what percent of the population is registered to vote. The bottom line is that few are making decisions for the masses. There seems to be no shortage of those offering complaints. But, are those the ones who show up at the polls? I'm doubting so.

On the national level, a very small percentage of people will be making the big decision for President. What can we expect for voter turnout in November, 35%, 40%. But, there is only a narrow slice of voters who are the target of the campaign. I suspect that many (80%?) of those going to the polls in November already know their vote. The undecided, say 20% of the 40%, are the only ones the Presidential campaign is attempting to influence.

Somebody else, more skilled with processing these data, can help us out on the suggested "undecided" vote. Are my estimates pretty good, way off, or irrelevant? What will each of those votes be costing the campaigns?

i love the indepentent " i go with the more popular folks". its reps or dems folks one or another, not who's popular or the talk show favorites.stay home and let the smart folks vote

I always vote because I lived during the 1960s when men were sent to Vietnam to die for their country at age 18, but were not allowed to vote at that age for the president who put them in harm's way. It was be a big victory for voter rights when the law was changed. That said, this primary was boring.

Pennsylvania election laws are rigged in favor of the Democratic and Republican parties. Third party candidates must obtain more than 3 times as many signatures on petitions for state-wide positions as Democratic or Republican candidates. Independents have no voice at all. It is time to have open primaries in Pennsylvania.

I voted because my sisters went to prison, were force fed, and died for my right to do so. Onward and forward Mr. President I am on your team!!

I, too, am an independent. According to Gallop.com, "the percentage of Americans identifying as political independents increased in 2011, as is common in a non-election year, although the 40% who did so is the highest Gallup has measured, by one percentage point. More Americans continue to identify as Democrats than as Republicans, 31% to 27%. That shows a growing dissatisfaction with the two-party system." As long as the two major parties remain viewed as conservative and liberal, I think people with more moderate viewpoints will continue to leave. We, as a nation, have lost the ability to compromise. And that scares me.

I agree with many of the opinions reflected here by the Independents. I'm a registered Democrat but I don't follow the party religiously. I am basically liberal, which to me means I care about our society more than myself. I vote because without my vote I'll have less of a chance to see the changes I believe in. I don't vote to cancel out someone from another party! I vote in hopes of raising that low number of voters turning out, those who are selecting our leaders for the majority. I vote so that this changes and my vote is the least I can do. I also volunteer!!!

I find it scary that we allow two parties to control OUR country. I take voting very seriously. A vote is support, approval-- delegating authority to act in your best interest.

I only vote for those I fully support, which is usually not many people at all. I've been registered only to participate in the primary election, but this was my last. I'm so fed up with the two-party system.

Could George Washington's words ring more true?
"However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

And we allow this to happen out of fear because 'we can't let the other person win.' Forget the cliches, the democracy that has been fought and sacrificed for has been lost. Voting without principle only enables further degradation of the political process.

As John Quincy Adams said, “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”

While some say those that do not vote waste their vote and have no right to complain, I say the contrary and those that do not vote out of principle cherish their vote and have every right to complain.

This thread has many good comments. Perhaps a basic question needs to have an answer: What is the purpose of primary elections?

A good, solid and well-founded answer may go a long way to help address the concerns about open primaries, independents, etc.

Anybody?

... Sometimes you have to hold your nose while you vote, but if you don't vote the entrenched fixers are guaranteed to win

Because "representative democracy" is the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on mankind. The ruling class has never changed and never will. Now instead of declaring themselves king by the grace of god or at the point of a sword, you sanction them king with your vote, and that makes you feel as if you matter, when you really dont.. Government is a money making enterprise. Always has been, and always will be, however fair seeming the form it appears to take. The only thing that changes is the faces, so it appears different, but it never changes. Like any going concern, its sole purpose is to perpetuate its continued existence. Same old story with a different cast, so you can feel good about yourself in your mind, So the little people can feel important, like they matter, but in truth you're just tools in a scam that goes back to beginning of man.
Maybe I should move somewhere where despotism can be taken whole, without the base alloy of hipocrisy.

That is why I dont vote, wont vote, because I know i don't matter.I don't need to feel like I matter. If i do, I only sanction a business whose product I do not want to buy. Their power to abuse is given through your sanctioning of that power, your vote is their power. So for all of these whiners and complainers about government abuses, its your fault if you vote.

"Be", your hipster logic makes me sick. Instead of actually getting involved and making changes from within the system, it's easier for you to sit and complain about how unfair the system is to you. Living in a society means everything isn't always exactly what you want, so suck it up and stop whining.

Coward.

Independents crack me up