I'm 74 and been a Republican all my life. I have lived in Georgia just over three years and am active in the Glynn County Republican party. I can't get over the system in Georgia that lets a member of an opposing party cross over and vote in the opposite party's primary.

I also can't get used to the idea that all one has to do is write a check to become qualified to run as a Republican or Democrat or whatever party one chooses. I'm used to a potential candidate knocking on doors of voters registered in a party to get them to sign a petition backing the person's candidacy for the office sought.

Will Georgia ever get in step with most of the rest of the country and reform its political system?

Arthur R. Meehan
Brunswick

PV Responds: We have to admit. We're a bit on the fence on this subject. Mr. Meehan is correct in that it would make primaries more focused on party ideas. On the other hand, we believe there is an implied "right" to choose to be independent and vote in a primary at-will. Party registration would negate that option for 20% of the populace. We don't think that's a good solution to the occasional problem of primary crossover.

The only definite instance of crossover voting in Georgia that did have an impact on the target candidate losing was Cynthia McKinney. Barr would have lost regardless of the 4-5% Democrat turnout in his primary election. We haven't seen the numbers for John Noel's district to help determine if crossover helped him defeat Billy McKinney.