Educate me: What's the reason voters register...

[Liar]

..."as a Republican" or "as a Democrat"?

So there was this case on the news today of some election worker or whatnot thowing away voter registrations from the party he didn't like.

My outsider question is, why is party affiliation (or "independent") on voter registrations at all? As opposed to just info that shows eligibility?

I get why it might be nessecary in the primaries, but why now for the general election?

Me not getting it.

 

[islandman]

It's not a "might be necessary for the primaries". It's an "absolute necessity" should you wish to vote in the primary.

And prior to the general election, ostensibly it's so that you can vote in future primaries and not have to go through the hassle of changing party affiliations at that time.

 

[Sean]

It's not a "might be necessary for the primaries". It's an "absolute necessity" should you wish to vote in the primary.

And prior to the general election, ostensibly it's so that you can vote in future primaries and not have to go through the hassle of changing party affiliations at that time.

Doesn't that depend where you live? I looked into the whole primary voting business a few years ago in the course of slapping MeeMie upside the head with facts, and quite a few states have open primaries.

 

[Liar]

It's not a "might be necessary for the primaries". It's an "absolute necessity" should you wish to vote in the primary.

And prior to the general election, ostensibly it's so that you can vote in future primaries and not have to go through the hassle of changing party affiliations at that time.

So if I don't give a rat's ass about primaries, or I am OK with going through the hassle for the sake of privacy, I (the hypothetical American me) could register as a "citizen" instead?

 

[Sinny]

Doesn't that depend where you live? I looked into the whole primary voting business a few years ago in the course of slapping MeeMie upside the head with facts, and quite a few states have open primaries.

That is correct.

 

[Tryharder62]

 

[blobfish]

Doesn't that depend where you live? I looked into the whole primary voting business a few years ago in the course of slapping MeeMie upside the head with facts, and quite a few states have open primaries.

Yup, that's why guys like Ron Paul do better in certain primaries than others.

 

[Wrong Element]

It's not a "might be necessary for the primaries". It's an "absolute necessity" should you wish to vote in the primary.

And prior to the general election, ostensibly it's so that you can vote in future primaries and not have to go through the hassle of changing party affiliations at that time.

See, in Ohio, changing your party affiliation at the next primary is as simple as telling them which ballot you want to use. It's not like there are forms to be filled out.

I'm not sure how many states require you to say what party you're in at the time you register to vote if you never participate in a primary.

 

[koalabear]

http://www.fairvote.org/congression...n-closed-semi-closed-and-top-two#.UIF6boVOlIs

 

[islandman]

Doesn't that depend where you live? I looked into the whole primary voting business a few years ago in the course of slapping MeeMie upside the head with facts, and quite a few states have open primaries.

Fair point. I'm not in one of those states.

So if I don't give a rat's ass about primaries, or I am OK with going through the hassle for the sake of privacy, I (the hypothetical American me) could register as a "citizen" instead?

I join you in that wish.

See, in Ohio, changing your party affiliation at the next primary is as simple as telling them which ballot you want to use. It's not like there are forms to be filled out.

I'm not sure how many states require you to say what party you're in at the time you register to vote if you never participate in a primary.

Once again, fair point. I've never voted in a primary.

 

[jeninflorida]

for the free porn...of course

 

[XdOu™]

fuck that... i aint got no reason to vote for either. they don't pay my bills

 

[RobDownSouth]

Many states have Republicans working tirelessly to purge voter rolls of "undesirables". Registering as a "Republican" dramatically decreases the chances that your voter registration will be "accidently" invalidated.

 

[fuckwaffle]

Many states have Republicans working tirelessly to purge voter rolls of "undesirables". Registering as a "Republican" dramatically decreases the chances that your voter registration will be "accidently" invalidated.

And many states have Democrats registering tirelessly as many times as they think they can get away with, in as many different precincts as they can. They register as dead people over and over again.

 

[islandman]

Solution: have Canadians man our voter registration offices and polling stations.

 

[XdOu™]

loool

 

[bronzeage]

So if I don't give a rat's ass about primaries, or I am OK with going through the hassle for the sake of privacy, I (the hypothetical American me) could register as a "citizen" instead?

You can register as independent.

There are political and financial considerations to primary elections. In a state where one party has a large majority, closed primaries favor the minority party. In the days's of Louisiana's closed primary system, often as many as 12 Democratic candidates would qualify for the election. The guaranteed an primary run off election between the top two candidates. In the meantime, the Republicans would quietly select a slate of candidates, who would not be opposed in the primaries. The Republican only had to run and finance one campaign, while the Democrat was on his third.

Elections are expensive, and the open primary eliminates the run off election.

The Democrats were behind the push for open primaries. Now they are the minority party and I hear calls for a return to a closed primary system, which would turn the tables on the GOP.

 

[RobDownSouth]

And many states have Democrats registering tirelessly as many times as they think they can get away with, in as many different precincts as they can. They register as dead people over and over again.

I'll make you the same challenge I made the Vettebigot: show me some proof of that within the last half-century or so.

Despite having won two Navy Crosses for heroism in Southeast Asia, the Vettebigot slunk away with his tail tucked between his legs when I challenged him.

I suspect you'll do the same.

 

[bronzeage]

I'll make you the same challenge I made the Vettebigot: show me some proof of that within the last half-century or so.

Despite having won two Navy Crosses for heroism in Southeast Asia, the Vettebigot slunk away with his tail tucked between his legs when I challenged him.

I suspect you'll do the same.

The reason this shit comes up, over and over again, is because it's the stupidest way to rig an election, but it's the only one Republicans can think of.

 

[unregistered]

 

[islandman]

Repeating the same old lies still? I posted the evidence, asshole. Go find it.

You were awarded two Navy Crosses?

I'm asking in all sincerity.

 

[RobDownSouth]

The reason this shit comes up, over and over again, is because it's the stupidest way to rig an election, but it's the only one Republicans can think of.

It's right up there with "MLK was a Republican!" and "Gas was $1.81 when Bush left office" .

 

[CandiCame]

So if I don't give a rat's ass about primaries, or I am OK with going through the hassle for the sake of privacy, I (the hypothetical American me) could register as a "citizen" instead?

That's what 'independent" is. It's essentially registering without a party.

I registered 'democrat' because a lot of my family runs in local elections. It had nothing to do with major elections like the presidency. If your uncle is running for Constable or Sheriff on the democratic ticket and you aren't registered as a democrat, then people will use it against you. Local politics are just as dirty as federal politics.