Some Montana Republicans want to make sure those who vote in the Republican primary are Republicans. Some call it “secure primaries” while others call it a “candidate purity test.”

I lean to the side of it being a purity test. Will blood and/or DNA testing be far behind?

Lee Newspapers is reporting “Delegates to the Montana Republican Party convention in Billings this weekend will take up a resolution that would allow only registered Republicans to vote in future GOP primary elections.” The idea supposedly came from Matthew Monforton who is running for the state representative.

So what about Independents like me who, because of certain races, may vote on the Democrat ballot in one primary and the Republican ballot in the next primary? It looks like if this is approved we would be out of luck. We are not pure enough.

So let’s be honest, it’s a stupid idea.

Republicans need to open the flaps of their tent more instead of buttoning them up. They need to understand that just because someone is a union member and/or a teacher does not make them the enemy. They are heading down the road a little closer to Loserville if this resolution passes.

Here are a couple things the political parties in Montana should support:

First, Montana should make it easier for Independent candidates to get on the ballot. It’s almost impossible for Independent candidates to make the ballot in Montana. In 2014, an Independent candidate running for U.S. Senate would have to collect 17,415 signatures to get on the ballot; a state senator candidate would have to collect 257, and state representative 129 signatures. That is ridiculous and virtually impossible. If the citizens of Montana want the best representation, they should allow Independents to pay the fee and be placed on the ballot like Republicans and Democrats.

Second, Montana should have a run-off after any General Election when the winner does not get 50% (plus one vote) during the election. The run-off would be held three weeks after the General Election and it would be between the top two vote getters. It’s funny that over the years Montana had people serving in public office that more than 50% of the voters did not support.

Some folks might think these two ideas are crazy. To those people I’d like to say that they will never be allowed to ride my unicorn…

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