# Pennsylvania Bill Passes House for Open Primaries

> Pennsylvania's closed primary bill passes state House, allowing independents and third-party voters to participate in primaries.
- Title: Pennsylvania Bill Passes House for Open Primaries | Shortify
- Summary: Pennsylvania's closed primary bill passes state House, allowing independents and third-party voters to participate in primaries. Pennsylvania's bill to end…
- Keywords: pennsylvania, open primaries, state house, independent voters, third-party voters, primary elections, election code, veterans, young adults, eagles, seahawks, philadelphia
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/pennsylvania-bill-end-closed-primary-elections-state-house
- Published: 2026-10-03T09:01:00.339+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: pennsylvania, open primaries, state house, independent voters, third-party voters, primary elections, election code, veterans, young adults, eagles, seahawks, philadelphia
## Bill passes state House
A bill to allow independent and third-party voters to cast ballots in Pennsylvania primary elections passed this week in the state House.
## 115-88 vote
The legislation passed with 115 yes votes and 88 no votes from state lawmakers.
## 1.5 million unaffiliated voters
State Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) said opening the commonwealth's primaries would correct an injustice for 1.5 million unaffiliated voters.
## 1937 election code
The current system disenfranchises people who choose to join an alternative political party or remain independent since the state Election Code was made law in 1937.
## 400,000 veterans
Advocates for open primaries argue the current system disenfranchises about 400,000 Pennsylvania veterans and nearly two-thirds of young adults.
## 10 states with closed primaries
Pennsylvania is one of just 10 states with closed primaries that limit voter participation to party members.
## Rep. Wendy Fink opposes
Rep. Wendy Fink (R-York) argued the commonwealth's general elections are open to every u.s. citizen who registers to vote.
## Primary not pure election
Fink said the primary is not an election in the purest form and allowing non-party voters would add complexity to elections.
## Rep. Greg Vitali opposes
Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) echoed Fink's argument that independent voters choose to exclude themselves from the partisan process.
## Inconsistent voters
Vitali said independent voters find it distasteful to be affiliated with either party but want a voice in choosing its standard bearer.
## Rep. Russ Diamond compares
Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) compared the spring elections to football draft picks, saying it would be bad if eagles allowed steelers to make draft picks.
## Democratic Whip supports
Democratic Whip Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh) said every elected official should work to expand the franchise and make government participation easier for constituents.
## Key takeaway

Pennsylvania's bill to end closed primaries passes state House, enabling 1.5 million unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections.