Letter to the editor - Dec. 9

Open primaries not likely to happen

Regarding the Albuquerque Journal editorial published Dec. 2 — “Open primaries will do more to get out vote:”

I served in the New Mexico Legislature from 1970 to 1974. While in public office, I introduced a bill for open primaries. Ray Sanchez, longtime speaker of the house, informed me the bill would never be heard. He said it was because if everyone could vote in the primary for any party, there would be the chance of a party getting together to vote for the weakest candidate running against their candidate in the general election.

To the best of my knowledge, that’s the main reason why New Mexico will not vote for open primaries, or the Legislature will not approve it.

John Hays

Clovis