In its March 23 editorial, The State Journal-Register's editorial board gave thumbs down to the "depressingly low turnout" (23.48 percent) in the March 20 primary.

I agree on the thumbs down, but don't blame the voter apathy. Blame the legislature's dereliction of duty by failing to enact the open primary. Most voters stay away from partisan primaries because they rightfully believe it's nobody's business but their own how they vote in the primary. But in Illinois' closed primary system voters must tell their party choice, Democrat or Republican, to the election judge and that choice becomes part of their public voting record for everyone to see. So much for the right to a secret ballot.

Through advisory referendums I initiated, voters throughout Illinois overwhelmingly supported an open primary, where voters pick the party primary in which to vote in the privacy of the voting booth, so there would be no public record of it. Eighty-five percent of Springfield voters favored the open primary and in Clear Lake Township 88 percent said "Yes." Similar overwhelming "Yes" votes occurred in about 28 other municipalities and townships.

The problem is the legislature failed to heed the voters' demand for an open primary because it's easier to control the vote when turnout is low.

Before this November's election ask candidates for the legislature if they'll sponsor an open primary bill and work for its passage. Then vote for the candidate who commits to the open primary, and if they do nothing, vote them out in 2020.

Sam Cahnman