Oregon Public Broadcasting

The results are in for Oregon's first ever online primary. But just four percent of the registered voters in the Independent Party of Oregon took part in the election, which wrapped up  Friday night. Chris Lehman looks at the results.

Most of the candidates in the Independent Party primary were actually Democrats or Republicans.

They were competing for the right to have the Independent Party label next to their regular party affiliation on the fall ballot.

In the governor's race, that privilege will belong to Democrat John Kitzhaber. Republican Chris Dudley wasn't even on the ballot. He decided not to enter the primary at all.

Both Democratic incumbent Congressmen on the Independent ballot -- Kurt Schrader and Peter DeFazio -- lost to their Republican challengers.

The Independent Party has quickly become, by far, the largest of the state's minor parties. But some skeptics say its rapid growth is thanks to people who sign up by accident.

People who really don't want to be affiliated with any party.

The four percent turnout rate is likely not to quash that criticism. By comparison, 45 percent of Democrats and 50 percent of Republicans voted in their party's primary in May.

On the web:

Results of the Independent Party Primary