re: #6 Daniel Ballard

A primary is really for the party to choose it’s man or woman. It’s not a try before you buy exercise like a new coat. Open primaries suck.

A primary is really for what the party decides it’s for, your opinion on the matter is irrelevant. You do realize that in California the Democrats run an open primary by choice, while the Republicans choose to have theirs closed. There’s a reason that the Democrats choose to have their nominating contest be an open one, because it allows Independents and others a chance to buy in, it’s a strategic decision, their choice. California Republicans close their primary because they want an insular process that reflects their views and their views only.

re: #8 Daniel Ballard

What about when a legislature makes it an open primary to help cement their majority?

The law that governs the current MI presidential primary (Public Act 163) was passed in 2011, by a State Senate and House both controlled by Republicans.