I am not going to vote in the presidential primary on March 3. It is not because I don’t have a preference. It is because I have several concerns about the process.
First, it violates all of the principles of the secret ballot. Just over 100 years ago, progressive Republicans and Democrats secured the secret ballot as a means of eliminating corruption in the voting process. If I have to ask for the ballot of a particular party, my vote is no longer secret.
Secondly, the current law allows my private information to be given to the political party of the ballot I request, and there are no restrictions as to what they may or may not do with that information. I currently get enough unwanted robocalls and calls from both political parties during meal time or in the evening, and I don;t want any more. Likewise, I will donate to the party of my choice without any more phone calls or letters asking for donations.
Since 1964 there have been a few elections that I have not voted in. I believe strongly that voting is necessary if we are going to preserve our democracy. As a social studies teacher, I would go vote early on election day so that I could weather the “I voted” sticker to encourage my students to do the same.
Each citizen should make up their own mind about voting March 3, and each citizen should understand and appreciate the importance of the secret ballot. I hope that by 2024, our state leaders will rewrite a presidential preferential primary law which honors our history and the importance of keeping our vote secret.
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Gerry Ruda
Long Prairie
