State should open primary elections

As the seemingly endless season of campaigning and election voting is once again upon us, I would like to get some things out of me.

We constantly hear politicians whining about lack of volunteers and low voter turnout at both the primaries and the general elections. Did they ever think about letting everyone vote in all elections to increase participation?

I am an independent and vote for people who I think can do the best job for our state or nation, regardless of party affiliation, yet here in Illinois in the primaries, I have to declare a party to exercise my right to vote, denying me the ability to vote for people of the other parties I think might help us all, who might have made the general election ballot if I would have voted.

This is not right and is a reason I don't vote in the primaries. I'm sure many other people don't also, even though there are people we would vote for if not having to declare a party.

This needs to be changed soon, as more and more people are becoming independents and are fed up with all the endless and meaningless bickering and senseless inquiries and investigations that go on between the two supposed major parties and prohibits helpful legislation from being acted on.

Also, I do not believe a person that is tw0 or three generations older than their youngest voters is really acting in the nation's best interest by running for office while 70 or older.

Alan A. Cukla

Carpentersville