SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Republicans say they’ll let unaffiliated voters participate in their primary this year.
GOP officials hope the change will help them to claw their way back into statewide offices they haven’t controlled wince 1993. Activists on the Republican Central Committee approved the change on Sunday. It will apply only to statewide races for attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state, not to the presidential election or legislative races.
State elections officials say they’re working out a plan to implement the GOP plans. Officials say Republicans last allowed unaffiliated voters to cast primary ballots in 1992. Democrats last allowed it in 2000.
Democratic Party of Oregon Executive Director Trent Lutz says there are no plans to open Democratic primaries to unaffiliated voters.
