Debate Over Closed Primaries Heats Up as Spotlight PA Hosts Open Primaries Forum
As Pennsylvania prepares for its 2025 primary elections, growing attention is being paid to the 1.4 million voters who will once again be left out of the process: independents and third-party registrants barred from voting due to the state's closed primary system.
Pennsylvania remains one of just ten states with closed primaries—meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans may vote in their respective party’s nominating contests. This system has long drawn criticism from voter advocates and reform-minded legislators who argue it disenfranchises a growing portion of the electorate and contributes to political polarization.
Ahead of Spotlight PA’s virtual event on Tuesday evening exploring the issue, government reporter Kate Huangpu offered insight into why efforts to open primaries have repeatedly stalled in Harrisburg and what reform could mean for the state’s political landscape.
"A lot of people are surprised to learn just how restrictive our system is," Huangpu said. "Independent and third-party voters—who pay taxes and care about their communities—can’t weigh in on which candidates make it to the general election. In many races, especially local ones, the primary is the real contest."
Advocates argue that open primaries could bring more moderate voices into the electoral process, potentially curbing partisan extremism. Huangpu notes this is especially significant in races like the Democratic mayoral primary in Pittsburgh, where the outcome all but determines the general election result due to the city's partisan makeup.
Legislative reform, however, has proven elusive. Bills proposing open primaries have been introduced for over a decade, and although versions have passed the State Senate in 2019 and the House in 2024, none have made it to the governor’s desk.
Polling shows broad public support for reform—upwards of 73%, according to recent surveys—but political inertia persists. Huangpu points to a lack of leadership will rather than partisan resistance. "This is the system that put current leaders in power," she explained. "There’s not a lot of incentive to change that."
Beyond politics, there are logistical considerations. County election officials have raised concerns about the strain that changing ballot systems, training staff, and managing expanded voter lists might place on their resources. However, Huangpu says most election directors she’s spoken with are open to the change if given sufficient preparation time. “Their job is to make elections work. They just want clarity and time to implement it well.”
The Spotlight PA event, moderated by Huangpu, features perspectives from State Rep. Jared Solomon, a Mercer County election director, and a representative from the advocacy group Ballot PA. The forum aims to unpack not only what an open primary system would look like in practice, but also what lessons can be drawn from the 40 other states that already allow some form of open primary voting.
"There's a workaround for now—voters can change their party affiliation ahead of the primary and switch back after—but that’s a workaround, not a solution,” Huangpu said. “At its heart, this is about what kind of democracy we want in Pennsylvania.”
The virtual forum takes place Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Registration information is available at spotlightpa.org/events.
