Oregon Public Broadcasting

Supporters turned in tens of thousands of signatures Friday for a ballot measure designed to let Oregon voters mix and match candidates and parties in the primary election. The proposal stands a good chance of going before Oregon voters in November.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Right now in Oregon you have to register by party and vote a straight party ticket in the primary.  The proposed ballot measure would change that.

It would allow anyone to vote in the primary, and choose candidates from any party.  The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, would move on to the general election in November.

Former Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling is behind the proposal.

Phil Keisling:  “The open primary has as its basic principle that every voter gets treated equally.  Every voter can vote for the candidate they think best in every election.  It’s about voter choice, it’s about voter freedom, and the ability to make the best choice for Oregon.”

If the measure makes it onto the November ballot, it could run into stiff opposition from Oregon political parties.

A similar top-two primary system was approved by voters in Washington.  It gets its first try-out in August after being held up by legal challenges for several years.