Montana voting system rewards party loyalty
We are two veterans with 44 years of combined service to the United States. We served united around one mission because we believed the American values of freedom, independence and democracy were worth sacrificing for.
Today, we remain united in our devotion to our country and our belief that we can and must overcome the division and dysfunction we see in politics. Regardless if you are a rancher, farmer, small business owner, nurse, teacher or serve in the military, the challenges we face are enormous. We need each other to be at the top of our game, and we need our elected representatives to be at the top of their game.
We believe our politicians can and will do better when the system incentivizes problem-solving over party loyalty. Election reform does just that. It’s why we’ve both stepped up to lead Veterans for Montana Voters and spread the word about the impact open primaries and majority-winner elections will have for every Montanan.
The division we see in politics today bears no resemblance to the values we fought for. Division only aggravates the challenges our nation is facing. Our current political system breeds polarization, dysfunction, and obstructionism, creating the appearance of an unwillingness to solve the problems affecting our families and neighbors.
In truth, politicians are trapped in a system that rewards party loyalty over collaboration and problem solving. Election reform can break this cycle. CI-126 and CI-127 create a system which incentivizes problem solving and collaboration and introduces accountability through more competitive elections.
CI-126 creates an open primary which allows each of us to vote for our best candidate in the primary, regardless of party. It sends the top four finishers on to the general election. Opening the primary system gives Montana voters more options and increases competition. It forces candidates to listen to all voters and reduces the influence of special interests or party insiders who demand loyalty to their narrow interests.
CI-127 reforms the general election by requiring candidates to receive a majority of votes (50%+1) to win an election. These simple changes restore the strength of our democracy by returning the power in our election to the citizens.
Our broken political system will not fix itself. It is working exactly how special interests and party insiders have designed it. CI-126 and CI-127 represent a chance to reclaim our democracy and create a government that is responsive to all citizens, not just the wealthy and powerful. If we want to take back the power from special interests and party insiders, we must unite and choose a different way.
Both of us lost brothers and sisters in combat. The politics we see today does not honor their sacrifices. We are also dads who want better for our children. That’s why we’re joining thousands of Montana veterans voting for CI-126 and CI-127. If you agree that the values our state and nation were founded on are worth protecting, we hope you’ll join us in voting for both initiatives this November.
Scott Walgren, retired Navy Commander, Bozeman. David Oclander, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, Clancy.