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Senator Tucker pitches open-primary amendment to let any voter choose in primaries
Summary
Senator Tucker presented SJR 6, a proposed Arkansas constitutional amendment to replace party primaries with a top-two open primary for most state and federal offices, saying it would expand voter participation; committee members raised concerns about party labeling and plurality winners during questioning.
Little Rock — Senator Tucker introduced SJR 6 to the Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee as a proposed constitutional amendment to establish open primaries for congressional, state, county, prosecutorial and judicial offices.
Under Tucker's proposal, voters on primary day could select any candidate regardless of party; the two candidates receiving the most votes would advance to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation. "When a voter walks into the polling place on primary day, the voter could vote for any candidate they want," Tucker said during his presentation.
Tucker told the committee the measure would not change primary dates or affect presidential or municipal elections. He argued the change would "empower our voters" by ensuring that races effectively decided in low-turnout primaries give every voter a say in November. "I want the highest number of people to participate in the election," he said.
Committee members pressed on likely effects. Senator Garner and others said voters rely on party labels to understand candidates' positions. Garner worried that removing party-identified ballots could obscure where candidates stand. Tucker responded that ballots would still show party affiliation on the ballot and that the measure's intent is to increase general-election participation.
Senator Ballenger and others questioned whether a crowded primary could send a candidate to the general election with a small plurality. "In theory, you could have 20 candidates and somebody who gets 5% could be the second-place finisher and go to general election," Ballenger said; Tucker acknowledged that outcome is possible under a top-two system.
Tucker cited Louisiana, California, Oregon and Washington as states that have adopted similar systems and said he has heard opposition from members of both parties. No vote was taken; the chair said the committee was hearing amendments and will later consider which to prioritize for referral and floor action.
