Why do states like Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas have open republican primaries?
That is so true. I could see purple states but not deep red or even deep blue for that matter.
How many Democrats voted so that the Republicans would be stuck with McCain, Dole, ....?
Open primaries are an open invitation to sabotage. The Republican Party must be able to control its own processes, for pete’s sake!!
So democrats can cross over and select the weakest possible candidate for the republicans, DUH!!!
I was shocked when I moved to an open primary state. Having come from the left coast and the republic of fruits, nuts, and flakes I figured my new state would have more sense. Nope. I guess they don’t care who votes for whom.
Open primaries allow for mischief that is usually driven by some leftie disguised as a conservative.
My understanding is, the parties agreed to it because they wanted to foist the cost of running elections off onto the taxpayer, and Primaries that are closed to the taxpayers who aren’t in the parties would be anathema.
The Parties brought the negative results upon themselves, and they can’t go back unless they’re willing to foot the bills for the elections, and even then a very vocal minority of “Independent” (stop laughing) voters will fight it tooth and nail. “It’s. Not. Fair! {sob}”
Because the electorate in open primaries more closely resembles the electorate in general elections, so the candidate who wins the open primary is more likely to win the general?
Plus, in those states that you mentioned open primaries -- until rather recently -- mean conservative Democrats voting in Republican primaries.
Arguably, there was a day when open primaries could have meant more conservative Republican nominees, rather than fewer.
Either there is a large conservative voting bloc outside registered GOP voters that will go with more conservative candidates in the primary and general election or there isn't.
If there is, then you'll get more conservative nominees and representatives. If there isn't, you won't. A closed primary won't change that.