Ryan NicolJanuary 16, 2019
4min472
70 percent of Florida voters support the two parties opening their presidential primaries to independents.
Tag: Florida Fair and Open Primaries
Ryan NicolJanuary 16, 2019
Drew WilsonJuly 18, 2018
6min478
A proposed ballot amendment to allow unaffiliated voters to cast ballots in partisan primaries didn’t get the green light from the Constitution Revision Commission this year, but on Wednesday a group committed to getting the proposal in front of voters in 2020. Florida Fair and Open Primaries said it was launching two petition drives to […]
Guest AuthorJanuary 9, 2018
6min874
Floridians have never been closer to putting an open primaries referendum on the 2018 ballot than we are today. A proposal to amend our primary system was submitted by Commissioner Bill Schifino of the Florida Constitutional Commission (CRC). Schifino’s open primary proposal is now one of six being considered by the full Commission, out of […]
Danny McAuliffeNovember 13, 2017
7min668
With Constitution Revision Commissioner William “Bill” Schifino Jr.’s recent proposal to open Florida’s primaries, a nationwide movement has some steam in the Sunshine State. Specifically, the change proposed by Schifino—a Tampa attorney and 2016-2017 president of The Florida Bar—would allow independent voters to cast ballots in primary elections. Florida’s constitution currently provides for closed primaries: Elections […]
Jim RosicaOctober 4, 20174min540
A Constitution Revision Commission committee on Wednesday began considering whether to change Florida’s primary election system, including buttoning up what’s known as the “write-in loophole.” That allows a write-in candidate to close a primary. The commission’s Ethics and Elections Committee heard from advocates and some of the state’s elections supervisors, but took no action. Here’s how […]
Guest AuthorApril 19, 2017
5min591
Florida has a once in a generation opportunity to fix our “rigged” political system via the Constitution Revision Commission. If you’re like me, you don’t need some expert to tell you about the adverse effects of gerrymandering. Acrimonious partisan rhetoric, high-dollar campaign financing, and a terrible closed primary system locking out 3.1 million independent voters […]
Mitch PerryMarch 28, 2017
4min482
A majority of Florida voters believe open primaries in elections is a good idea. Robopolling released Tuesday from a coalition of groups that advocate creating an open primary system in Florida found strong support from voters having such an initiative on the ballot next year. The survey was conducted on behalf of three groups seeking […]
Guest AuthorMay 6, 20156min203
Florida lawmakers are required to do two things. First, prior to taking office, each member must take an oath. That oath obliges them to “support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government…of the State of Florida.” “I do solemnly swear…” Second, in upholding that same charter document, they must also pass a budget. The Florida […]