http://www.primarilypaul.com/ron-paul-in-the-primaries/#content
This link shows which states require you to register for the party you want to vote for before the Primary. You can change your mind during the General election in Nov. 2008. So why do they force you to pick your party before the Primary?
2007-12-27 06:53:10 · 11 answers · asked by Naturescent 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
I think it is unfair. It limits the rights of first-time voters who were not aware of the requirement for registering in advance.
2007-12-27 07:03:33 · answer #1 · answered by vox_of_reason2 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The election process doesn't take the idea of political parties into account. Anyone with enough signatures can get on the ballot as a Presidential candidate.
It's easier to get a candidate on the ballot if you have an established organization that can agree to back a single candidate. There's no reason the members of that organization should have to allow input from outsiders.
It's not unfair for states to have closed primaries. It probably is unfair to fund closed primary elections via taxpayer dollars, though. Why should I have to pay for the primary of a political party when I think we'd better off if political parties didn't exist?
2007-12-27 15:24:30 · answer #2 · answered by Bob G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think it's unfair at all.
The purpose of the primaries is to select the party's candidates. I'm a registered Republican, and I have no problem with the fact that I cannot vote in the Democratic Party's primary.
2007-12-27 15:13:34 · answer #3 · answered by malclave 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, simple. The idea of a primary is not for the nation to pick anyone, but rather for members of a party to decide who they want to represent their party in the general election. I actually believe all states should have closed primaries.
2007-12-27 15:03:55 · answer #4 · answered by Owen 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If all the registered democrats vote in the Republican primary, they are going to vote for the worst possible candidate, the one they think can be beaten most easily. The same with Republicans voting in the Democratic primary. Although people can switch, only real activists will take the trouble to do this to try and screw with the primary process.
Sadly, there are way too many people these days trying to think up ways to defeat our democratic processes, instead of standing up for ideals like honesty and truth. There is a large element that would rather cheat their way to success.
2007-12-27 14:57:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Because the purpose of the primary is to determine a party's candidate, so it's reasonable that the party's candidate be chosen by members of the party.
2007-12-27 14:58:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I can see the reasons why to keep primaries open, but if the candidates are Republican or Democrats - why not let them choose their own candidates?
I understand that there are many people that truly are independent, but they could try to get an independent candidate? Tough but they could try.
2007-12-27 15:01:58 · answer #7 · answered by Hill Billy (JetAnders) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Georgia I can declare at the polling place. That is not so in many other states. I think it should be open to all because a Democrat might want to vote for Rudy or a Republican might want to vote for Hillary.
2007-12-27 14:58:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
So there's not a mass of people from the other party trying to sway a party's nomination.
2007-12-27 14:57:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but the reason they do it is that they don't want people from other parties interfering.
2007-12-27 15:47:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋