As Arizona’s largest voting bloc, independents far from force in primary

PHOENIX — As an independent voter, Ariel Motz said she understands the importance of her vote and is proud to be part of the state’s largest voting bloc. But she said the current election system is stifling the voices of independent voters, starting with the way Arizona handles primaries.

As an independent, Motz has to choose a party’s ballot to vote in the primary. Because she votes early, she has to decide each election which ballot the Maricopa County Elections Department mails her.

This year she requested a Democratic ballot because she finds herself more aligned with that party’s views. But she’s frustrated knowing that in a state dominated by Republicans that party’s primary will for all intents and purposes decide some races.

“It’s not just being categorized. It’s being forced to pick from either this option or that option when neither option really represents my political views,” Motz said. “It’s a system that just makes the Republicans or Democrats the more dominant party.”

Because of these and other reasons, the state’s single largest bloc of voters – 35.49 percent of the total – may be forfeiting their ability to make a difference in Arizona elections. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, about 12 percent of independents voted in the Aug. 26 primary compared to 27 percent turnout among all voters.