Senate votes down open primaries

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Senate has voted down a bill that would allow voters to cast ballots in primaries without declaring a party preference.

Senators on Wednesday voted 37-17 against Senate Bill 1666. There is still a measure alive in the House that would institute open primaries, but the sponsor, Republican Rep. Bill Black of Danville, says the measure faces extensive opposition.

Proponents of open primaries say the current system discourages people from turning up at the polls.

But Democratic Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan says poor candidates are what discourage voters, not the system. Link contends Democrats should choose Democrats, Republicans should choose Republicans. He added it has worked that way for years.