VOTING: No thanks, parties

For me and my Idaho, party affiliated voting is all that matters…

I have to take exception to The Press’ simple solution for those of us “Independent” voters, to simply “register with the party of your choice” so “we” can participate in Tuesday’s Primary Election. Well, if it was that easy, then why have many of us chosen to not “affiliate” with either party. Everything I read and hear on this years election is how vital the “Independent” vote will be to leading candidates. And yet, here in Idaho, Independents can’t even participate in our own Primary UNLESS we affiliate with either “established” party. Last I checked, that wasn’t the point of being “Independent.” I certainly understand the arguments for a “closed” primary but really what it boils down to for me is an election of exclusion. Either you join up or you’ll get left out.

Looks like I’ll have to wait until November before I can participate in an election. Guess my vote will be that much more valuable as it now so rarely gets cast.

STEPHEN ROMERO

Coeur d’Alene