Caucuses are messy, dubiously democratic, and sometimes not even meaningful. Colorado shifted over to a caucus system for both parties largely as a money-saving measure, but I don't think it's been a very successful experiment. I'll be happy to see a primary system restored.
(In theory this should be the internal decision of each party, but given that there are public costs that occur around it, it makes sense for the public to vote.)
I am a lot more divided about making these open primaries. On the one hand, why should Democrats or Independents get a voice on who gets nominated by the GOP (or vice-versa)? If Indies don't care to affiliate with any party, why should they be able to select who a party wants to vote for.
But turning from the philosophical to the practical, open primary states tend to get much more moderate candidates for both major political parties. That may not appeal to folk who want bolder, further-out-on-the-wing candidates, but, net-net, I think there are some pragmatic benefits there, especially given Colorado's purplish party status.
Anyway, glad we'll be able to vote for it, and I look forward to what the results will be.
Colorado voters to decide on restoring presidential primaries or continue presidential caucus
Colorado voters will decide this fall whether to scrap the presidential caucuses and replace them with primary elections.
I'm an Independent in part because the Democrats aren't liberal enough for me to join them. Or at least they traditionally haven't been. That said, Michigan is an open primary state and this is the first year I've ever participated in one. I opted for the Democrat ballet and voted for Bernie Sanders who won our state.
+Les Jenkins Well, I guess if non-Democrat Bernie can join the party for purposes of running, it might be justifiable for someone not a Democrat to vote in the party's primary. 🙂