(WHTM) — Closed primaries keep more than 500,000 Pennsylvanians from voting, but one group argues they especially disenfranchise veterans.

For 88 years, the state’s election laws have required voters to register with a political party in order to vote in primary elections. Independent voters have no say when it comes to the candidates on the general election ballot.

The nonpartisan group Veterans for All Voters wants to change that.

“There is a deep feeling within the veteran community that democracy is something to be fought for,” said Dennis Miller, a Marine veteran and open primaries advocate with the group. “And we as a block, as a group, did so. So, when there’s an opportunity to be involved in that democratic process, we are very serious about doing so.”

Many veterans are against being involved in anything in name only, Miller said, and they shouldn’t be forced to do so to vote.

Despite closed primaries making for a rarity across the nation, multiple attempts over the years to open Pennsylvania’s primary elections have failed. Miller said chatter in the State Capitol says politicians are concerned about election interference. For example, members of one party could register as the other and run interference.

“If you were trying to do some malfeasance, you could become a member of either other party and vote in that primary,” Miller said. “That option is available to those who want to do that today.”

Independent voters filed a lawsuit last week, which the group is not party to, seeking to challenge closed primaries in the state. Watch This Week in Pennsylvania to hear more about it, as well as the battle over Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) use of state funds for home security upgrades.

Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the week’s biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories.

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