Colorado is one of 15 states that hold open primaries. If you’re registered in Colorado with either major party, you are limited to vote for the candidates of that party in the primary. But as an unaffiliated voter, you have the option to vote in either (not both) of the major party primaries.
Crossover voting is the term used when a registered member of one party votes to undermine the opposite party. The Republicans have effectively used crossover voting in two recent campaigns. The first campaign, affectionately called “Operation Chaos” was used in 2008 against Barack Obama. Twelve years later (again called Operation Chaos), Republicans used a “vote for the worst” campaign to undermine the lead held by Joe Biden.
Can crossover voting be principled? If our crossover vote is used to invalidate white nationalism, Islamophobia, unwillingness to certify a presidential election and endless, nonproductive political drama, then your vote is principled. If you’re interested, check out Elizabeth Kolbert’s Jan. 26, 2022, article in The New Yorker entitled, “Should the Democratic Primary Voters Help Save The G.O.P. From Itself?” Once you’re ready to become unaffiliated, changing is easy. Simply go to the coloradosos.gov and search for “find my voter registration.”
Colorado District 3 is ready for a change. This change begins with the elimination of Rep. Lauren Boebert in the June primary vote. Effecting this change is going to come from voters on the left, voters on the right and most importantly, the unaffiliated voters of District 3.
Jeff Oster
Gunnison
