Parties Reject Open Primaries in 2026 Fight for House Control

4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 14

Louisiana’s Saturday vote could speed Senator Bill Cassidy’s political decline after Republicans scrapped the state’s open, nonpartisan primary for a closed partisan system two years ago.
Party leaders in both parties are resisting open primaries because cross-party voting can produce more centrist nominees and blunt efforts to maximize gains in a year when House control may hinge on a handful of races.
Supporters argue the systems boost participation and help elect middle-of-the-road candidates, and are now pressing a broader case that open primaries can improve prosperity, longevity and murder rates.
Cassidy’s career illustrates the stakes: Louisiana’s old system helped moderates like the Republican senator, who voted to convict Donald Trump after his 2021 impeachment trial.

Can the way we vote in primaries directly impact our community's prosperity and well-being?

As new voting methods emerge, how can we ensure they are clear and build trust in elections?

Which matters more for election outcomes: the type of primary system or how district maps are drawn?