Letters to the Editor | April 12, 2026

Two recent letters to the editor relate to the subject of open primaries. Writer Steven Spier is “astonished that a county commissioner doesn’t understand the voting process enough to grasp that the primary elections are for members of specific political parties to select representatives of their party,” whereas letter writer Paul Selbst states that legislators proclaiming their fealty to democracy actually cripple it by preventing independent voters from participating in the primary elections. It should be added that in Pennsylvania, voters not registered with either of the dominant political parties pay for those elections as taxpayers, i.e., literally taxation without representation. Left unstated is the consequence for the parties themselves. Increasing numbers of voters (now about 45% of the electorate), turned off by both the Democratic and Republican Parties, are registering as independents.

For many years, proposals to open the primaries to independent voters have been placed before the legislature, which generally blocks the initiatives. However, currently, Democratic State Rep. Jared Solomon and Republican State Sen. Dan Laughlin have introduced bills in their respective chambers — to change the status quo.

Also, the matter is the subject of a lawsuit brought by Ballot PA Action, with Michael Smerconish as a plaintiff. The suit argues that the current election code violates the free and equal clause of the state’s constitution.

Additionally, some candidates for office, as well as incumbent legislators, are serving in office or running as candidates under dual labels of Democrat or Republican/Forward Party members. And in four states, retired military men are running for governor of their state as independents.

The misguided protectiveness of the Democratic and Republican Parties is having consequences for the parties themselves, as well as for our democracy.

Norma Van Dyke, Philadelphia, nvandyke121@gmail.com

Peco is asking for a 12.5% increase for electric and an 11.4% increase for natural gas, which would take effect on Jan. 1. It will need to be approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Has the PUC done any due diligence as to what a 12.5% increase is all about? Is it for commonwealth residents to subsidize planned infrastructure to accommodate artificial intelligence facilities?

If so, the concept itself is flawed: We can’t afford higher Peco bills, and Pennsylvania’s environment cannot afford any more acreage dedicated to humming machines that obliterate open spaces vital to wildlife and cause excessive noise pollution. Overall, we should not be subsidizing tools to enrich tech billionaires who pay less in taxes than we do.

Peco’s last rate increase took effect on Jan. 1, 2025 — a 10% increase for electric and 12.5% for gas customers. Here we are, not even 18 months later, and Peco wants more.

Pennsylvania residents deserve strategic objectivity on the part of the PUC — not the rubber-stamping of every rate increase that comes across the commission’s desk. The other game, which has become quite tiring, is saying, “Utility X asked for 15%, but we only gave them 12%.”

It is time to say no. Pennsylvania residents are already grappling with exorbitant costs for gas, groceries, rent, and more. Considering these factors, the PUC should terminate Peco’s request for more money.

Mary Kay Owen, Downingtown

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