Oregon: Closed primary system excludes independents

From Daily Astorian editorial:
If Oregon changed its system, we could battle against voter apathy ...Under the closed system, only the most committed members of the two parties typically participate, while independents are shut out altogether from participating in deciding partisan political races. This has the effect of selecting candidates who represent the opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, to the detriment of candidates who speak to the more moderate core of the electorate, the great middle in which many independents reside.... [more]

Also from the Daily Astorian: Westlund declares independence from majot parties...