W.Va. Dems Switch to Open Primaries

West Virginia's independent and unaffiliated voters can now vote in Democratic Party primaries, which were previously closed to all but party members, The Associated Press reports.

The fastest growing segment of West Virginia's registered voters, independents have been allowed to vote in the Republican Party's primaries for several years, the AP notes.

Democrats have steadily lost their 2-1 statewide edge over the GOP within the last 10 years. They now outnumber Republicans by just under two-to-one.

Looking toward the 2008 presidential scramble, both of the major parties are looking to revamp the way they select delegates for their national conventions. The GOP proposed changes last year, while the Democrats drafted their plan earlier this year.