Open Primaries: Increasing Voter Participation Beyond Party Lines

VEST Her Podcast: Open Primaries

Democracy thrives when citizens participate, yet America faces a troubling reality: even in presidential elections, only 65% of eligible voters cast ballots, with participation plummeting in local and primary elections. This democratic deficit has serious consequences, especially for women and historically marginalized communities who continue to face systemic barriers to political participation.

At the heart of this problem lies a structural issue: closed primary systems that restrict voting to registered party members. These closed primaries shrink the voter pool, fuel polarization, and produce candidates who cater to partisan extremes rather than representing the broader population. The result? Elected officials less willing to compromise and increasingly dysfunctional governance.

In this compelling conversation, Margaret Kobos, founder of Oklahoma United, and political consultant Sarah Blaney explore how open primaries could transform our democratic landscape. They make a powerful case for State Question 836, which would implement an open primary system in Oklahoma where all candidates appear on a single ballot accessible to every voter. The top two finishers would advance to the general election, ensuring meaningful choice in November.

The statistics are striking: Oklahoma has ranked last in voter turnout nationally, with only 51% of voters registered as Republican despite complete Republican control of state government. With 80-90% of election decisions effectively made during primary elections, the current system silences independent voters and moderates from both parties. This directly correlates with Oklahoma's poor rankings in education, women's quality of life, and other critical metrics.

What makes this reform particularly powerful is its simplicity and familiarity, it mirrors the system already used successfully in Oklahoma's municipal elections. By expanding this model to all elections, voters would gain real choice while elected officials would become accountable to the entire electorate, not just partisan extremes.

Ready to support democratic reform? Learn more about open primaries and how you can get involved in this movement to revitalize American democracy through meaningful electoral reform. The future of our representative government depends on ensuring every voice can truly be heard.

Guest Bios

Margaret Kobos is the founder and CEO of Oklahoma United, a nonpartisan grassroots organization advocating for open primaries through State Question 836. A fourth-generation Oklahoman, she built a 30-year legal career in Tulsa focused on trusts, foundations, finance, and municipal law. Margaret earned her B.A. from Agnes Scott College and her J.D. from the University of Tulsa. Through SQ836 she is working to ensure every voice matters in elections.

Sarah Blaney is a political consultant and nonprofit executive with over 20 years of experience in electoral politics nationwide. She currently serves as general consultant and finance director for Oklahoma United. A University of Oklahoma graduate with additional studies in political management at George Washington University, Sarah lives in south OKC with her family and four rescue cats.

Show Notes

Learn more about Open Primaries and the Petition in Oklahoma: VoteYes836

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