Why can't we vote and not have to declare ourselves?

Question

We as Americans shouldn't have to declare ourselves anything! Just vote for whom we want!

Answer 1

I do see what you are saying, however, there is reasoning behind this. Primaries are intra-party elections so if you declare yourself Repub., you vote in the primaries to decide who you want to represent your party in the general elections. During general elections you can vote Repub, Dem or 3rd party, you don't have to stick w/ your base party. You technically don't have to declare yourself as anything but you will miss out on primaries in most states.

Answer 2

Because there are only 2 parties essentially, and if you want to vote in THEIR primary, you have to declare yourself. You can revert back at the door! You don't have to declare yourself in regular election! And you can vote for whom you want. Except in Florida!

Answer 3

Americans need not declare what they want because all they have to do is vote secretly for what they choose.

VOTE for your choice as US President on my 360 degrees blog and know who will likely win.

Answer 4

It does seem silly, but it's irrelevant in the long run, since you can still vote for someone not in your declared party.

Answer 5

You can vote in any general election. You just cant vote in the primary. Some states let you vote either way, I guess you can say in those states, you can go both ways.

Answer 6

You can vote for whomever you want regardless of your declaration.

Answer 7

How else would they know who to send all that snail-mail too?