Say What on Open Primary Elections in Maryland?

Five unaffiliated Maryland voters filed a lawsuit in May 2023 against the state’s closed primary system, arguing that political parties may exclude voters from their primaries but the state cannot organize elections that exclude independents. The case was dismissed in November by a county circuit judge, who ruled that parties have the right to exclude unaffiliated voters. The plaintiffs have since appealed to the Appellate Court of Maryland, with briefs due this month but no hearing date set. Governor Wes Moore’s comments on open primaries during an HBO interview reignited public discussion. Moore stated that closed primaries ‘have run their course’ and that excluding voters undermines democracy, drawing support from advocates like former Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford. However, the governor’s office later clarified that Moore’s remarks were ‘mere musings’ and not a call for systemic change, emphasizing his support for Maryland’s current closed primary system. Political analyst John Dedie suggested Moore’s comments were politically motivated, aimed at appealing to voters ahead of the November election and his potential national ambitions. Dedie argued that open primaries are popular with voters, and discussing them could help candidates gain support. The governor’s spokesperson reiterated that Moore was not proposing changes but noted declining voter affiliation with political parties and called for broader discussions on primary structures. The lawsuit’s appeal remains unresolved, while the governor’s stance on open primaries has been clarified as non-binding. Supporters of open primaries had initially hoped Moore’s remarks would lead to action, but his office’s response has dampened expectations. The debate continues as Maryland weighs the balance between party control and voter inclusion in its electoral process.