Open primaries make absolutely no sense

I guess I just must not understand the rationale behind open primaries. 

When I look up the definition of an open primary, Google says, the primary election is an election by the political parties to nominate their candidates for the general election ballot. No one is elected in a primary election. Everyone gets to vote in the general election for the candidate they would like to win that election.

The whole purpose of a primary election is to allow each party to choose who they would like to represent their party in the general election. No one is being excluded from voting. Everyone can vote in the primary to choose who should represent their party in the general election. If you are from a small party that only has one candidate, then you don't need a primary election to choose who will represent your party in the general election. If you are in a party where there is more than one candidate running for the nomination, you need to have an election by the members of that party to choose who will represent them in the general election.

I do not want Republicans deciding who is going to represent the Democrats in the general election, and I do not want Democrats deciding who is going to represent the Republicans in the general election. If you are an independent and want to vote in one of the primaries, then register for one of the parties that will be having multiple candidates run for that position. 

The idea of open primaries makes no sense to me whatsoever.

GEORGE DeLAND, MD

Sandpoint