Why do we allow referendums during primaries?

I am writing to you about the dissolution of the primary elections. The past few primaries, I did not vote as I do not subscribe to either of the political parties. But then I learned that several referendums are submitted for voting during the primaries. I have missed many of these referendum votes in the past.

This year I went to the polling location during the primary and learned that there are no referendums on this year’s ballot. It took some time for the election judges to understand that I was not interested in the political party primaries but wanted to avoid missing my opportunity to lend my voice to any village, county or state referendums.

The election judges explained that my district did not have any referendums in this election cycle.

After missing so many important primary elections with referendums, I had to ponder why are any referendums allowed during the primaries? The primaries are mostly about political parties and their candidates. Sneaking in important referendums into these primary elections performs a disservice to those, like me, do not affiliate with either of the political parties.

My voice, along with many others’ voices are suppressed during their primary elections as the news is all about the candidates, and referendums are hidden away. Do the politicians purposely put unpopular referendums into these election cycles?

Referendum voting should be banned from primary elections. Many independents and those not politically active are dissuaded from being part of the voting process, as these are not highlighted during these primary elections.

This is a true form of voter suppression, and one must wonder if the politicians know this and specifically put unpopular referendums into these election cycles.

Tim Walter

Arlington Heights