In a recent letter to the editor (Sept. 11), a writer argued that CI-126 weakens political parties. To which I want to say: that is precisely the point of CI-126. But I respectfully disagree with her assertion that the initiative “attacks” the voices of Montana citizens.
Instead, CI-126 gives Montana voters more voice in our elections. Political parties serve a purpose: they help educate voters and give us a chance to come together and celebrate the things we have in common with those who associate with the same party. But what about Montanans who don’t feel like the Republican or Democratic parties perfectly represent them? What about Independent voters who don’t have a political party to affiliate with, who don’t fully agree with party platforms, or who want to be able to vote cross-party?
Those who love their political party want to force independent-minded voters to pick a side in order to participate, but that’s not fair for the rest of us who feel like our two-party system is failing our state and our country. As I understand it, CI-126 doesn’t stop candidates from listing their party affiliation as Republican or Democrat, and it doesn’t stop candidates from running under a third-party. It simply allows those of us who aren’t loyal to any political party to vote for the person, not the party.
