Pennsylvania is one of only nine states that has a closed primary, which prevents the more than 1 million independent and non-affiliated voters from having a voice in choosing candidates in the primary election. 

LWVPA opposes the current system of closed primaries which excludes participation by electors who do not register with one of the two major parties.  LWVPA believes changing the primary structure to one which includes all electors would increase voter participation and could reduce political polarization. 

LWVPA supports changing to an open primary system in which all electors, regardless of registration status, can participate in the primary of the major party of their choice or a semi-open system in which electors who are not registered with a major party can participate in one of the major party primaries. The same system should be used for both presidential and state/local primaries. (ref: LWVPA, Primaries, https://www.palwv.org/election-laws )

Fair Districts PA is a nonpartisan, statewide coalition of organizations and individuals.

We are working to fix legislative rules, create fair districts and map out a fair redistricting process that will help re-establish an accountable government that represents the people of Pennsylvania — not partisan politicians or outside interests. 

Our Goal: Not Red, Not Blue, Just Fair.

Learn more about Fair Districts PA

The PA legislature is not very productive because a few legislative leaders block a lot of the bills from proceeding out of committee or never bring them up for a vote. 

Even if a bill gets onto the floor, they may not be voted on by both chambers.

The end result is that Pennsylvania is fourth from the bottom in terms of productivity of state legislatures. 

Many bipartisan-supported and co-sponsored solutions that have been proposed in the form of bills never go anywhere session after session.  A few examples of bipartisan-supported and co-sponsored efforts that have not progressed through the PA legislature deal with gifts from lobbyists, childhood lead exposure, and school funding reform.