In response to the letter, “Political system is broken” [Maryland Independent, Jan. 20], I can relate to the writer’s sense of disgust with our current government system and being asked to select between bad and worse.

As an independent voter, I am restricted from choosing a candidate of any party during the primary elections, therefore lessening my choice until the general election.

The newly formed Independent Voters of Maryland’s sole focus addresses, in large part, the issue cited in the letter.

IVMD’s mission has three main goals, to open primary elections in the state of Maryland; lend support to IndependentVoting.org’s national campaign to persuade Congress to hold hearings on the electoral process; and build a grassroots network of independent and like-minded voters throughout Maryland and the nation.

Our goal is not to create and promote a third party we are an independent movement, a movement of independent voters in preparation for post-partisan reform of the American political process.

The “major adjustment” the writer speaks of is long overdue. With the help of fed-up citizens, we can set about the lengthy and involved process of changing the political landscape, to one more palatable to the independent voter and, quite frankly, voters in both political parties. Part of that process includes educating the electorate about what it means to be a registered voter and what it means to be denied a vote in a primary election.

The writer might not have the answers, but voters like her are the solution. Her assertion is absolutely correct, “that social responsibility begins at home, with moms and dads, followed by teachers and caregivers, and colleges.” We need to reach them and let them know how important voting is to our communities, states and our nation.

IVMD is committed to effecting real change in Maryland’s political system and seeing independent, nonpartisan candidates with ideas born with the betterment of their constituents and their communities.

Jesse Hansley, Bryans Road