To the editor:
As I've traveled around Missouri’s 8th Congressional District, I've talked to a lot of you — Republicans, Democrats, and everyone in between, and I’ve come across many folks that are upset with our new presidential primary voting system. This new system was put into place after the passage of Missouri House Bill 1878 back in 2022, and it feels like it's taking our voices away.
Before this new law went into effect, we had a more open way to vote in the primaries, where you could just walk into your polling place, pick a party's ballot and have your say. But now, with this new “closed primary” system, it feels like we're being pushed out of an important part of our democracy.
Consider that a Gallup poll from December 2023 revealed that 40% of people identify as Independents. So there’s a lot of folks that don’t fit into the Democrat or Republican boxes. This new law means a small group ends up picking the presidential candidates, leaving most Missourians feeling left out.
It’s odd that this change was led by Republicans in our state legislature, along with Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. Why is it odd? Because it was Republicans like Theodore Roosevelt and Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette who fought for open primaries in the first place, along with initiatives and referendums. They wanted the average Joe and Jane to have more say, not less. Bill 1878 moves us in the opposite direction, giving power to a select few, sitting in smoke-filled back rooms, instead of the many.
I'm asking you to get in touch with your state representative and senator. Let them know we want a primary voting system that listens to all of us, not just a few. As your potential representative for the U.S. Congress, I promise to fight for a system that gives every Missourian — and every American — a voice, whether you’re a Democrat, a Republican or anything in between.
Let’s work together to make sure our voices are heard loud and clear.
Editor’s note: Roth has stated his intention to file as a candidate to run for Missouri’s 8th District, U.S. House of Representatives. Filing for the Aug. 6 primary election opens on Feb. 27.
