Pepsi
01-11-2008, 11:58 AM
Idaho Republican Party Chairman Kirk Sullivan told lawmakers Friday that Republicans and Democrats should have to register by party to vote in the state's primary elections.
Sullivan, who previously opposed such a closed primary, said he was acting on a directive of the GOP central committee.
Lawmakers agreed to consider the bill, which could cost taxpayers $1.3 million.
But Senate State Affairs Committee members, which the bill must first clear, are already expressing reservations, saying it would alienate independent voters by making their party affiliation public.
Rod Beck, a GOP conservative who sued the state last year to close primaries but lost, says he's against the bill because of its cost.
Beck says his alternative is cheaper.
http://www.localnews8.com/global/story.asp?s=7610390
Sullivan, who previously opposed such a closed primary, said he was acting on a directive of the GOP central committee.
Lawmakers agreed to consider the bill, which could cost taxpayers $1.3 million.
But Senate State Affairs Committee members, which the bill must first clear, are already expressing reservations, saying it would alienate independent voters by making their party affiliation public.
Rod Beck, a GOP conservative who sued the state last year to close primaries but lost, says he's against the bill because of its cost.
Beck says his alternative is cheaper.
http://www.localnews8.com/global/story.asp?s=7610390