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Bill would let party committees decide whether endorsed candidates bypass primaries; witnesses split
Summary
Senate Bill 22-52 would allow state or district party committees to decide whether an endorsed candidate appears on the primary or general ballot. Proponents said it strengthens party engagement; opponents warned it could disenfranchise voters and concentrate power in small groups.
Senator Chuck Wallin (District 4) introduced Senate Bill 22-52, which would allow a state party or district party committee to decide, in odd-numbered years, whether an endorsed candidate should appear directly on the general election ballot rather than first appearing on an open primary.
Sponsor Wallin said the proposal is optional for each party and argues it would “get more people involved at the local level” by giving party members a stronger stake in selecting candidates. "If we want more party involvement, we need our districts and state meetings and conventions to be more than just a get together and a feel-good meeting," Wallin told the committee.
The bill drew sustained testimony and partisan…
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