Will independents ever get to vote in Pa. primaries? Advocates hope a lawsuit moves the needle.

[RandySF]

HARRISBURG — Supporters of opening Pennsylvania's primaries to more than 1 million unaffiliated voters hope the courts will accomplish what the legislature couldn't for decades.

Pennsylvania is one of just eight states with a closed primary system, meaning only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans can participate in their respective parties’ spring elections. People who don’t belong to a major party can still vote on statewide referenda, local initiatives, and special elections that are on the ballot at the same time.

The commonwealth is a member of a shrinking group. In the past year, two states, Nebraska and New Mexico, changed their primary systems to allow all registered voters to participate.

This year’s primary is on May 19, and will see Pennsylvanians choose candidates for critical congressional and General Assembly midterms. (The governor is also on the ballot this year, though both parties have just one candidate.)




https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/03/closed-primary-open-lawsuit-unaffiliated-third-party-pennsylvania-primary-elections/

[msongs]

1. give these whiners their own party line - independents - with independent canidates running

to vote as a independent you gotta choose an official independent candidate. let the independent party pay any expenses