To the Editor:

Recent letters to the Editor have showcased the competition for the local Democratic club endorsement for Princeton Council between former Borough resident Jo Butler and a slate of former Township residents, Bernie Miller and Sue Nemeth. Some see the choice anachronistically, as “Borough” versus “Township”. Princetonians of all stripes might welcome an alternative candidate selection process: an open Democratic primary this June.

It’s no secret that local Democrats control Princeton government. Less well known is that the local Democratic club (the PCDO) traditionally controls the primary and general elections by deciding at its March endorsement meeting whom to support for placement in the “Democratic” column and to whom to award the ballot label “Regular Organization Democrat.” Chances are, if you win the club vote in March, you get the favored ballot position and label in the June primary, which is tantamount to winning the general election in November.

Who votes in the PCDO’s endorsement meeting? In addition to 200-300 party stalwarts, the meeting may be packed by 50-100 “friends” of a particular candidate who, for as little as a $5 membership fee and a promise to show up on one night in March, “endorse” their candidate. These one-nighters may have no knowledge of the training, experience, temperament, values or commitment of their own candidate (much less other candidates) and no knowledge of local issues or the candidates’ stand on the issues.

The candidate who packs the PCDO meeting in March with the most buddies likely wins the PCDO endorsement — and consequently wins the favored position and label on the primary ballot, the primary itself, and the general election. It’s a peculiar way for a community of 30,000 to determine its political leadership.

This year, a better approach to selecting local candidates would be an open primary in June, with all Democratic candidates placed in the Democratic column without endorsement.

Recently, the PCDO and the Democratic municipal committee (about 40 persons) have been taking significant steps to liberalize the candidate selection process, for which they are to be applauded. Yet much work remains to be done. The anachronistic “Borough” versus “Township” Council contest taking shape this year presents a rare opportunity to consider an open primary in this nearly one-party town.

Roger Martindell

Patton Avenue