DUers Vote in Primary Elections

[MineralMan]

I think they do, at least. Most registered voters don't, though. That's their perfect right, of course, but it leads to some interesting things. Since turnout for primaries is consistently low, historically, what that means is that a smaller group of voters decides who will be on the general election ballot. In caucus-only states, an even smaller sample of voters decides who the general election candidates will be. Where I live, in Minnesota, we have both the caucus/convention system AND primaries. It's sometimes confusing, but most of the time the candidates endorsed at the conventions win the primaries. Sometimes, though, no candidate is endorsed or primary candidates who were not endorsed end up winning.

In any case, a much smaller percentage of voters chooses the general election candidates. More voters show up for general elections, where they face a binary choice, more or less.

I think DUers vote in every primary, but I'm not sure, so here's a poll:

5 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I Vote in ALL Primary Elections
	5 (100%)
	I Vote in SOME Primaries, but Not All.
	0 (0%)
	I ONLY Vote in Presidential Year Primaries
	0 (0%)
	I OCCASIONALLY Vote in Primary Elections
	0 (0%)
	I RARELY Vote in Primary Elections
	0 (0%)
	I NEVER Vote in Primary Elections
	0 (0%)
	I'm NOT Voting in this Stupid Poll!
	0 (0%)
	I Don't Like to Vote
	0 (0%)
	Who Cares What DUers Do?
	0 (0%)
	Other (Explanation?)
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[MineralMan]

1. If you vote in this poll, please kick it to keep it visible.

Thanks!

[peacebird]

2. Kick

[MineralMan]

3. Thanks.

[Cal Carpenter]

4. Keep in mind, as far as the general voting population

Around 1/3 of regular voters (iirc) are registered as independent. In many states, they can't vote in a party primary, and either way, perhaps they don't feel it is their place to choose a candidate for a party with which they don't necessarily identify.

I realize that doesn't reflect DUers who, I assume, are primarily registered as Dems or equivalent, but as far as the overall population it could be part of the reason.

[MineralMan]

5. That's true, but even with that, turnouts are low in most primaries.

They're abysmally low in mid-term and local elections. I track this stuff for DFL voters, and it's very disappointing in general. We can look at turnout for primary elections by party very easily. It's not a good result, frankly.

[MH1]

6. Most registered Democrats don't vote in most elections.

I think presidential elections are generally the only ones we get a good turnout of Dems.

No wonder this country is becoming more right-wing.

[MineralMan]

7. What you say is true in many places, for sure.

The bottom line is that only those who show up get to register their choices. Even GOTV efforts only increase turnout by a small amount, although that increase often affects the results in dramatic ways.

Democrats need to vote. It's that simple. They need to vote at every opportunity they have. It's a pity that they don't, in my opinion.

[MineralMan]

8. Kick for a larger sample.

[eloydude]

9. Where's Robb is a dingbat choice?

Oh well.

[MineralMan]

10. I no longer include that in my polls.

Others' polls may differ.

[KingCharlemagne]

11. Kick. Vote in every primary. - nt

[MineralMan]

12. Thanks for voting and for the kick.

It's good advice, too.

[Tom_Foolery]

13. Kicking it. n/t

[MineralMan]

14. Thanks!

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. You are Missing one choice

all elections. Which we do.

You think primaries have low turnout? Ah special elections...are special. One of my local legislators Got permission for the county to pilot a program to send mail in ballots to all voters. I s'pose with us following Oregon in motor voter bill where people will have to opt out that might help too.

It is not law yet...but.