HARRISBURG – Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) has announced that there are plans to advance language to allow for open primaries in Pennsylvania when the Senate returns to session in June.
Scarnati began to push for open primaries last year and renewed his efforts earlier this year with the introduction of Senate Bill 300.
He explained that the motive behind this legislation is to allow more people to have a voice and moderate primaries from extremism.
“In February I was pleased to introduce Senate Bill 300 to allow for open primaries in Pennsylvania,” Scarnati said.
“This bill is a bi-partisan piece of legislation introduced with the goal of giving over 740,000 registered unaffiliated Pennsylvania voters the right to participate in the primary election process.”
Senate Bill 300 was referred to the Senate State Government Committee and last month the Committee held a hearing to discuss election law legislation, including open primaries.
“Allowing more people the opportunity to have a voice in their representation is an important step toward ensuring democracy. In June, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on this important legislation,” Scarnati concluded.
