RAPID CITY JOURNAL
Is it time for independents to have a louder voice?
By: Jerry Steinley
August 8, 2008

Kim Wright hopes to lead a successful grass-roots effort to give independent voters a voice in South Dakota.

For now, she's the lone voice and organizer of the group SD Voice for Independents, but she hopes that will change after an informational meeting Wednesday and another in Spearfish later in the week.

Wright wants voters registered as independents able to vote in primaries; she'd like to see term limits in South Dakota; and she'd like independents to be a bigger part of the discussion of state issues. She'd like to see independents have a seat at the table.

But that's just her opinion. She's independent, after all, and there's no independent platform that defines what the 15 percent of South Dakotans registered as independent want.

That's a challenge but not one that stops the state-level movement, nor the national one, both of which are about eliciting change and increasing participation - not forming a third party.

"In order to be heard as a voting block, we have to organize," Wright said. "That makes us an organization of independent voters who we hope our legislators will recognize and acknowledge our opinion."

Pam Carriveau, assistant professor of history and social science at Black Hills State University, said the nature of the independent voter could make an organized effort difficult.

"Which independent? Are they moderates? Are they green party independents? Are they John Birch Society?" Carriveau asked. "Which Independent would you include in your non-party event? How do you choose who sits down at the table?"

The best hope for independents may be in the primaries and that is high on Wright's agenda.

The number of registered independents dropped by 2 percent before the primaries. Wright said that points to independents changing their registration to participate - a sure sign they are anxious to be part of the process.

But it is a process that might not want the independent involvement. In California, Carriveau said, a 2000 case ruled open primaries were unconstitutional – infringing on a party's right to make decisions with its members by allowing non-member (independent) participation.

Wright has her work cut out for her. Giving Independents a voice based on a set of common beliefs will be difficult and opening the primaries will meet with strong opposition.

Regardless, she believes it's time for change and she's willing to put in the effort to make it happen.

"The two party system as it is, is no longer working. There's been such a divisiveness between the parties that nothing seems to get accomplished," Wright said. "And consequently, it seems we want to stir the pot; to somehow elicit change."

How, exactly, will the movement elicit change? You'll have to go to the meeting Wednesday to find out.

The first organizational meeting is at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the Rapid City Regional Library. It's an informational meeting and discussion of issues in Black Hills and South Dakota. If you're interested, show up. Or contact Wright at sdindvoice@gmail.com or 431-7588.