Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 155) to require States to permit unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections for Federal office, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.Res. 731 is a resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 155, a bill that aims to require states to permit unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections for Federal office. The resolution outlines the procedures for the House's consideration of the bill, including waiving points of order and setting time limits for debate. It specifies that an amendment in the nature of a substitute, submitted by Representative Fitzpatrick, will be considered as adopted.
Expected Effects
If passed, H.Res. 731 will expedite the House's consideration of H.R. 155. This could lead to a quicker vote on the bill, potentially changing primary election rules across the states. The bill could increase voter turnout in primaries, but also potentially impact the influence of party members in selecting candidates.
Potential Benefits
- Increased voter participation in primary elections.
- Potential for more moderate candidates to emerge, appealing to a broader electorate.
- Reduced influence of party insiders in candidate selection.
- Greater representation of unaffiliated voters' preferences.
- Simplification of the voting process for unaffiliated voters.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for registered party members to feel disenfranchised.
- Risk of strategic voting by unaffiliated voters to influence the outcome of the opposing party's primary.
- Increased administrative burden for states to manage open primaries.
- Possible weakening of political parties.
- Concerns about the constitutionality of federal mandates on state election procedures.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is debatable. While Article I, Section 2 grants states the power to set elector qualifications, the bill could be argued to infringe upon states' rights to manage their own elections, potentially violating the Tenth Amendment. However, proponents might argue it promotes broader democratic participation, aligning with the spirit of the Constitution.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).