Many states have primary elections and all of them are limited to voting only for members of one party. If you register as Republican you can only vote in Republican primaries. The same holds true for Democrats. I have no idea what the independants do.
You may be a registered Republican but the person you favor for President is a Democrat. You can't vote for him/her until the General election. By that time they may not even be in the race any longer.
Surely there has to be a better way. Let's hear your solution. I don't know about you but I haven't been pleased with either parties choices for President for several elections. I'm really open for suggestions.
2007-02-21 05:18:24 · 4 answers · asked by namsaev 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
Why not have an open primary and then take the top two vote getters and have a run off in the general election. Who knows -- we might just get better Presidents.
2007-02-21 05:38:18 · update #1
No they should be open to all voters. We pay for separate "primaries" so you could cut costs in half just by holding only one. There are more unaffiliated voters that have no voice during these "primaries" yet our taxes pay for this tomfoolery. you are right, we just might get a better field of candidates.
2007-02-24 04:13:25 · answer #1 · answered by sam simeon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main reason for caucuses and primaries is to narrow down the choice in each respective party. If we have an open primary as you suggest why would we need a general election? But if it became a general election it would be possible for someone with less than 30% of the vote to be elected. That would mean 70% want someone else.
2007-02-21 05:24:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many states don't register voters by party.
2007-02-21 12:35:52 · answer #3 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they weren't, what would be the purpose of primaries?
2007-02-21 06:03:03 · answer #4 · answered by Rob D 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋