Because the presidential nomination for both the Republican and Democratic parties appear to be sewn up, it might not seem worth voting in Pennsylvania’s primary election April 23.

That doesn’t mean the election isn’t important, however. There are multiple contested primaries on both the Republican and Democratic sides — from statewide offices like Attorney General to selecting delegates for the two parties’ national conventions.

As reported in the Wednesday, April 3, edition of Butler Eagle, the Butler County Bureau of Elections expects turnout a bit stronger than previous presidential primary years, planning for a voter turnout of between 50% and 60%, compared to 42% in 2020 and 44% in 2016.

Such a turnout would be excellent news, but it’s a shame the state legislature failed to act on multiple proposals that would almost certainly have boosted participation.

First and most glaringly was the botched attempt to change the date of the primary. April 23 is the first day of Passover, and many observant Jewish people don’t work, drive or participate in other public activities.

Despite multiple proposals from both parties and requests from the Jewish community to move the date, the state Senate and state House failed to come to an agreement on when the new election should take place, and so, in classic gridlock fashion, failed to act entirely.

Another major benefit of holding the state’s primary earlier in the year would have been that Pennsylvania’s voters would have had more influence on the candidates chosen. As it stands, President Joe Biden appears set for a rematch with former President Donald Trump, with that result apparent weeks ago.

There is some hope that the legislature could still act on a proposal that would improve future primaries, even if it isn’t in time for this one: Moving to open primaries.

Pennsylvania is one of only nine states with a closed primary, meaning only voters registered for a particular party can vote for that party’s nominees. There are as many as 1.2 million voters in the state who aren’t registered with one of the two major parties, and the current system basically excludes them from choosing the slate of candidates for the general election.

Two bills that would open the state’s primary elections are in committee now, and so could still become law, even if not until after this election.

That would be a good step toward expanding participation in primary elections, and that is an important goal.

— JK