CONGRESSWOMAN NANCY MACE ENDORSES CLOSED PRIMARY LEGISLATION, CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF H. 3310
Congresswoman Nancy Mace, candidate for Governor of South Carolina, today announced her strong support for H. 3310, legislation that would require voters to register with a political party in order to participate in that party’s primary elections.
“It’s pretty simple: Republicans should choose Republican nominees, and Democrats should choose Democrat nominees,” said Rep. Mace. “Our current system is an open invitation for mischief. Closed primaries protect the integrity of both parties and ensure that nominees actually represent the voters they claim to serve.”
H. 3310 would require voters to declare a party affiliation, or register as unaffiliated, when they register to vote. Only registered party members could then vote in that party’s primary.
“Forty-seven states have some form of party registration. It’s time South Carolina joined them,” added Rep. Mace.
Political parties should retain the option to open their primaries to unaffiliated voters if they choose. Voters could change their party registration, and unaffiliated voters would still participate fully in general elections.
“This isn’t about restricting anyone’s right to vote,” Mace emphasized. “Every South Carolinian can still register with any party they want, or no party at all. This is about letting political parties choose their own nominees without interference from people who don’t share their values.”
Mace called on the General Assembly to pass the clean, closed primary legislation this session.
“Enough games. Pass the bill. Let Republicans pick Republicans and Democrats pick Democrats. The people of South Carolina deserve nominees who actually represent them.”
