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Lawmakers Work To Bring Back Presidential Primaries

DENVER (CBS4)- After standing in long lines to have their voices heard in Colorado's presidential caucuses, there could be relief for frustrated voters. Lawmakers have started the process to bring the primary system back to the state.

There are two bills proposed at the state Capitol. One to restore the presidential primary and the other to open it to unaffiliated voters.

Instead of voters having to go to their neighborhood caucus to vote in the next presidential election, voters will get a ballot in the mail.

"Coloradans are demanding more inclusion in the presidential primary and we stand here today to say we're listening," said Rep. Tim Dore, a Republican representing Elizabeth.

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are on the bills, that they claim are in response to a chaotic caucus process.

Voters In Super Tuesday States Cast Their Ballots
Participants in the Colorado Democratic Party Caucus line up to confirm their voter details before casting their vote for one of the two Democratic candidates at Manual High School on March 1, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. Colorado is one of 13 states and one territory participating in Super Tuesday primaries or caucuses intended to award delegates to particular candidates in each party. (Photo by Marc Piscotty/Getty Images)

At the Democratic caucuses, some people didn't get to vote because of the long lines. At the Republican causes no one got to vote.

"We're here before you to make sure that the caucus chaos that happened on March 1, doesn't happen again," said Rep. Alec Garnet, a Democrat representing Denver.

Under the so-called Primary Protection Act, everyone would get a mail ballot.

"One of the challenges we have in our caucus process is that if an individual serves in the military overseas is not able to participate in it, and a presidential primary will allow them to do that because they will get their ballots in advance and be able to cast those ballots," said Secretary of State Wayne Williams.

Williams said unaffiliated voters could temporarily choose a party affiliation to vote and would automatically be unaffiliated after the primary.

"We owe that to Democracy to include as many people as possible in the process," said Rep. Dominick Moreno, a Democrat representing Commerce City.

Super Tuesday In Colorado
Voters line up for the Democratic presidential caucus on Super Tuesday at North High School in Denver on March 1, 2016. (credit: JASON CONNOLLY/AFP/Getty Images)

But some say you shouldn't have to join a party just to get a ballot.

"It's as though, in a nutshell, a party's being thrown with their money and while Republicans and Democrats get to walk in through the front door, unaffiliated voters have to hop a fence, jump a creek and come in through the side door," said Curtis Hubbard with Let Colorado Vote.

Hubbard believes unaffiliated voters should get both ballots and choose one. Others say leave things the way they are.

"Your vote needs to mean something and in the caucus it does," said one voter.

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