Letter: Primary election system is broken

I just threw my primary ballot in the trash along with the voters pamphlet. The system is broken. Barring an untimely death, either Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will be our next president.

In his introduction in the pamphlet, Washington’s Assistant Secretary of State, Mark Neary, assures us that “it’s our turn to have our voices heard.” Seriously? And, I have to declare that I am a Democrat or Republican? Excuse me, I am simply an American and should have the right to participate in the democratic process. This is a sham.

I propose we run the primary like a playoff. Each party starts with 10 nominees, chosen by petition. On May 1 we all vote. Parties keep the top five. On July 1 we all vote. Parties keep two. On September 1 we all vote for one candidate. Parties keep the top one, and on election day the president is chosen by popular vote of all the people.

Every citizen’s vote in every state would carry the same weight. Candidates could campaign as they wish, running ads in every state throughout the election process. In Washington we would get the same exposure to candidates and political TV ads as in Iowa. Oops, never mind.

This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 12:08 PM with the headline "Letter: Primary election system is broken."