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Editorial: A missed chance for open primary elections

 
Published April 23, 2018

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission did a lot of things wrong this week by combining unrelated or unpalatable provisions into single amendments that will appear on the November ballot. It also wasted an opportunity to do one thing right. The commission foolishly failed to approve an amendment that would have enabled voters to end the scam of using write-in candidates to close primary elections.

Voters could not be clearer about what they want. Two decades ago, they approved a constitutional amendment aimed at opening up primary elections to all voters, regardless of party affiliation, when all of the candidates are from one political party and the winner will take office. Yet the primary elections have been remaining closed when write-in candidates sign up. Never mind that the names of those candidates never appear on the ballot and that they never win.

This is a scam, and it is exploited by candidates from both political parties to keep their primaries closed. Yet the CRC failed Monday to add an amendment to the ballot to close this loophole. It took 22 votes on the commission to approve proposed amendments for the ballot, and this one fell three votes short and was opposed by 17 members. Among those who have some explaining to do about their vote against it: Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, former state Sen. Arthenia Joyner of Tampa and Circuit Judge John Stargel of Lakeland.

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission is appointed only once every 20 years. Voters should not have to wait another two decades for even modest election reforms such as opening primary elections. And maybe by 2038 changes also will be made to the CRC so this week's fiasco won't be repeated.

Editor's note: This editorial has been revised to reflect the following correction: Circuit Judge John Stargel of Lakeland is a member of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission who voted against a proposed amendment that would have stopped write-in candidates from closing primary elections. An editorial Saturday incorrectly named his wife, Sen. Kelli Stargel of Lakeland.