Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to Ms. R., May 17, 2000

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. (202) 225-3061 COMMERCE COMMITTEE ASSISTANT DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP Congress! ot tfoe Itniteb States Jjousle ot jRepresentatfoes Masfpngton, 2ЭС 20515-2002 May 17, 2000 Thank you for contacting me regarding independents voting in elections. I benefit by knowing your concerns. Please know, Independents are not required to vote for a Republican candidate, nor are they required to vote in the Republican Primary. In a resolution passed last spring, the Maryland Republican Party offered Independents the opportunity to vote in the Maryland Republican Primary Election on March 7, 2000. I supported this one time event which allowed those unaffiliated registered voters to participate in the electoral process. Independent voters are a fast growing segment of our voting population in Maryland. Figures from the Maryland Board of Elections show the approximately 320,000 Independents in Maryland comprise over 10% of the electorate. The Maryland Republican Party is clearly ahead of other Maryland political parties when it comes to opening its doors to Independents to participate in the democratic process. No other political party in Maryland permitted Independents to vote in its Presidential Primary. This bold step by the Maryland Republican Party resulted in over 50,000 Independents voting in its Presidential Primary. Once again., thank you for contacting me on this important issue. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to call me. Very truly yours, Robert L. Enrlich, Jr. Member of Congress