Unaffiliated Marylander launches 'party switch campaign' to vote in state's closed primary
- Jun 17
- 2 min read
Only voters who are registered for a political party can vote in Maryland primary elections
CLARKSVILLE, Md. — A push is underway to get non-affiliated voters to temporarily join a party for Maryland's closed primary election.
The number of non-affiliated voters is growing in Maryland — so, too, is their frustration with partisan politics as hostility grows toward the traditional party system.
Non-affiliated voters say they feel silenced
Independent and non-affiliated voters who don't want to be associated with the Democratic or Republican parties say they feel cheated by the state's closed primary system.
"You are talking to an Independent and a Democrat now because I have registered as a Democrat, believe it or not, because I want to vote in the primary," WBAL NewsRadio 1090 AM and 101.5 FM talk show host Ryan Nehman said.
Andrea Levinson, a Howard County voter, is doing more than personally changing her party affiliation — she organized a "party switch campaign" on social media. The deadline to switch party affiliation is Tuesday.
"I'm encouraging all Independent voters to go out and change their party affiliation so they can vote — and they need to do it by June 2," Levinson said.
Levinson spent Monday sending emails and letters, explaining why people should temporarily switch parties and how easy it is to do. Then, voters can switch back to non-affiliated after the primary.
"It's not cheating. It's not illegal. It's not unethical. It's being able to express your voice and get your voice heard," Levinson said.
It's not illegal. It's not unethical. It's being able to express your voice and get your voice heard
According to the non-profit Independent Voter Project, of Maryland's 4.3 million registered voters, 24.85% of them are Independent or non-affiliated, which experts said represents a strong voting bloc.
What some Maryland voters say
People with whom WBAL-TV 11 News spoke on Monday said Maryland should allow all registered voters to cast a ballot in the primary.
"I think every citizen should be able to vote without declaring a party," said Carol Silver, a voter.
"I don't think that's necessary. I think you should be able to vote in an open primary," said Marty Silver, a voter.
I don't think that's necessary. I think you should be able to vote in an open primary.
"I definitely think there should be an open primary," said Linda Bett, a voter. "I don't like to choose a party, I like to choose a candidate."
"I think everyone should have the right to vote because, as an American citizen, you should have every right in the constitution," said Ryan Macphee, a voter.
During an interview in April on HBO, Gov. Wes Moore said he believes the closed primary process has run its course. A gubernatorial representative said Moore was speaking as a private citizen, not as governor.
A group of unaffiliated voters is suing the state to open Maryland's primary election. Bills have failed in both the House and Senate this past session to open the primary.
Comments