Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections Voter Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission backs SB16 to let unaffiliated voters pick a major-party primary ballot, 3-1
Summary
The commission passed a resolution supporting Senate Bill 16, which would allow unaffiliated (independent) voters to vote in a single major-party primary, after hearing brief remarks from the county clerk; the measure passed 3-1 with Commissioner Frank Baca voting no.
The commission voted 3-1 on Feb. 11 to support Senate Bill 16, a state proposal that would permit unaffiliated (independent) voters to request and vote one major-party primary ballot (Democrat or Republican) without changing party registration.
Chair Olivas said the measure is about fairness and giving unaffiliated voters an opportunity to participate in primaries that often determine winners in noncompetitive general-election districts. "You can go into your polling place. And if you're an unaffiliated voter, you can ask for 1 or the other ballot," Olivas explained.
County Clerk (present at the meeting) said she supported making registration and access more inclusive and noted the bill's effective date would allow administrative preparation; "Although the effective date is July of 2025, it wouldn't actually, affect the race this fall... so that gives our offices some time administratively to prepare," she said.
Commissioner Frank Baca said he would vote against the resolution because he felt insufficiently informed and questioned the net benefit over existing options such as same-day registration. Commissioner Benson, Commissioner Barbara Baca and Chair Olivas supported the resolution. The resolution will be transmitted to state legislators as an advisory county position.
