I just voted a little while ago and I live in the Town of Brookfield in Wisconsin. The lady that gave me the ballot said "you cannot cross party lines". I asked her if that means I have to vote a straight party ticket and can't just pick whoever I want from each party and she said yes that's right, except for when there is more than one candidate from the same party, then I can choose between them on the straight party ticket.
This seems contradictory to our system of free elections. Does anyone know why this is happening?
2006-09-12 14:12:50 · 10 answers · asked by Jason 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Thanks for the help folks... you are right (duh) it was a primary. So I pretty much wasted my vote since all I did was check off the field for my party and nothing else. You would think the lady would have explained that to me. Dang. Oh well, it was the first time I've voted so it was a learning experience.
2006-09-12 14:26:11 · update #1
You were voting in a primary. The rules are different. You aren't electing anybody, you are only voting for who shows up on the ballot in November. Then you can vote for whoever you want.
2006-09-12 14:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're probably talking about a primary election.
That's because a primary isn't a real public election. It's actually a private poll conducted by each political party, which they get the government to pay for because they happen to be in power.
The only purpose of a primary is to allow each party to select who gets the party nomination in the actual (general) election. Every other group has to do this on their own, and pay for it on their own. The Republicans and Democrats get the taxpayers to foot the bill.
2006-09-12 14:23:58 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a primary, you can only vote for the candidate(s) of your registered party. That is the whole point. Once the general election comes in November, you are free to vote for whomever you choose.
2006-09-12 14:21:34 · answer #3 · answered by szydkids 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a primary election, not a general election. In most states, you are allowed to vote in either the Republican Primary or the Democratic Primary, but not both. In the general election in November, you may vote for whomever you choose.
2006-09-12 14:20:50 · answer #4 · answered by J M C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Were you voting in a primary? If so, some states do require that you designate your party and give the appropriate ballot. Otherwise, report this woman to the Elections Board in your county.
2006-09-12 14:20:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
She was lying to you. The only thing close to the "straight ticket requirement" is the requirement to vote for the president and VP on the same ticket.
Other than that, party line crossing is not only legal, it is encouraged.
2006-09-12 14:16:27 · answer #6 · answered by Ricky T 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
That's not true. You can vote for whoever you want. You do not have to vote straight party and that was probably illegal if someone told you that.
2006-09-12 14:18:55 · answer #7 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
OMFG, are you sure you weren't voting in a Primary Election??? PS: Now you know how "we the people" wound up where we are today, heheheh...
2006-09-12 14:21:09 · answer #8 · answered by Sean T 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Doesn't sound right. I think she had gone senile
2006-09-12 14:14:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
That would be illegal. She was wrong.
2006-09-12 14:19:11 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋