Please register Democratic so you can vote for Bernie in the primary.

[merrily]

Last edited Fri May 1, 2015, 06:32 AM - Edit history (2)

I followed BrotherIvan's exhortation to check out reddit and saw that important notice.

Some states have open primaries. In my state, I can vote in a Democratic primary only if I am registered Democratic or "unenrolled." If I am registered Republican, Green or any other so-called 'third Party, I cannot vote in a Democratic primary. Check the rules in your state and get this out of the way now, before you forget. The Secretary of State usually puts them online.

So, a benefit to the Democratic Party, as least for a while, may be to increase the rolls of registered Democrats. Win win.

[TM99]

1. For the benefit of those in Arizona,

we are a semi-closed state.

Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary. Republicans can vote in the Republican primary. Non-affiliated (that is what I am) will be able to choose which primary they wish to vote in. I will, of course, be voting in the Democratic primary for Sanders.

If you are a Green or Libertarian, you would have to change your voter registration to no-affiliation or Democratic to vote in the primary. I am finding already that encouraging my friends in those parties to vote for Sanders in the primary is far easier when I convince them to go unaffiliated than Democratic. Many are former Dems who don't like the corporate take-over of the party by the neo-liberal/neo-conservatives.

Contrary to the meme on DU, winning is not the only goal. For many of us, principles still matter immensely.

[merrily]

3. Thanks. I modified the OP based on your post. It would be better, I think, for them to

register Democratic. The more populists in the Party the better--and I don't see a lot of third party candidates holding important public offices.

However, if you cannot persuade them to register Democratic, where they can work within the state parties, then indie or "unenrolled" as Massachusetts prefers, is the next best way to vote in the primary for Bernie.

[TM99]

4. Many are very angry and fed up, Merrily.

I won't join either major party but I will work to elect a candidate within that two party system that aligns with my political philosophy. That is the best I can hope to do with others here that I know as well.

[merrily]

5. Don't I know it. But, for me, the issue is, how best do you get what you want.

For a while, I thought it might be going third party, but, for a lot of reasons I decided the best way was to work harder from within. Maybe that is a good discussion for another time and another thread, though.

Right now, let's focus on getting people registered in whatever way it takes to enable them to vote for Bernie in the primary.

[TM99]

6. I would enjoy that discussion

at another time and in another thread indeed.

[merrily]

7. I would as well.

[leftofcool]

2. Kentucky is similar

Kentucky recognizes only 2 legitimate parties in a presidential election. Democrat and Republican and we have closed primaries.

[merrily]

8. Can you register unenrolled or indie and vote in a Dem primary, though?

In Massachusetts, you can.

[leftofcool]

26. You can not register as anything except a Dem or a Republican or an Indie

You can register as an independent but you can not vote in either primary as an indie. As far as I am aware, you can only vote as an indie in local and State elections but not Presidential ones. I would have to check on that one but I have never seen a space for an indie on any of our presidential ballots.

[RoccoR5955]

9. I've been a registered Democrat for 42 years!

My entire voting life!

[merrily]

10. Cool.

[Downwinder]

11. When I vote for Bernie I will be registering as a Democrat.

[merrily]

12. Are you saying that, in your state, voting for a Democrat = registering as a Democrat--

until the next Presidential? What happens if you split your ticket? Do you still get registered as a Democrat?

All these variations are so interesting.

[Downwinder]

15. When you vote in the primary they

stamp your Voter Registration with the party. If there is a runoff you can only vote in that Party's. You can then split your ticket in the General Election. It is important to get local primary candidates on the ballot, which we have not been doing. We have not been getting any local candidates.

[merrily]

20. Thanks for the info. I find all the variations fascinating. Is that weird?

[Downwinder]

23. Far be it for me to say anything is weird.

I am only 74, I haven't figured what normal is yet.

[merrily]

24. LOLOL!

[Downwinder]

27. I might add.

The older I get, the more elusive "normal" is becoming.

[merrily]

32. I can see that. It looked like bizarro world sometimes, even to Seinfeld.

[Autumn]

13. I had switched from Democrat to Unaffiliated. Going in to town today and switching

back. I'm going to tell them I'm still pissed about the Omnibus bill and Jamie Dimon but Bernie's in and I'm going to be whatever he is.

[merrily]

21. Nice to hear, Autumn!

[G_j]

14. And get others to register!

this is a must!

[Robbins]

16. well

Here In MO all you have to do in primarys is pick Democrat or Republican when voting.They ask you which one and in my case i always select Democrat.

[merrily]

33. Maybe because Massachusetts is so old, it's been harder to vote

here than in some red states, in some ways. Register in one group or another. No early voting, though that will change. Vote in the primary that matches your registration. Yet it is supposedly the bluest state in the nation. (Not sure that is so anymore, but political myths die very slowly.)

[Cosmic Kitten]

17. Quick Guide to Open/Closed State by State Primaries

As of 6/14

http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/primary-types.aspx

[merrily]

22. Thanks, CK. This is a handy reference. They consider Massachusetts a hybrid state. nt

[arcane1]

29. They make it very confusing regarding California

It says how we handle our State primaries, but not how we handle presidential ones. I'm 99.99999% certain I can vote in either primary though

[merrily]

34. If in doubt, call the Secretary of State's office and, if you need to, handle it before you forget.

(Sorry to act like mommy. It's a habit.)

[NYC_SKP]

18. Recommended!

[TBF]

19. Texans who caucused for Obama already did this -

but as far as I know Texas is still open for the primary (you must register for caucus however).

[MannyGoldstein]

25. Wait... I can't remain enrolled in the Mass. Pirate Party?

http://www.rawstory.com/2011/03/massachusetts-voters-can-now-register-as-pirates/



(Attention jury: just kidding, I'm enrolled as a Democrat, don't believe a thing the alerter said.)

[merrily]

35. Alerters don't even specify a reason anymore.

[HockeyMom]

28. I was an Independent in NY for 30 years

No, I could not vote in a Presidential Primary.

[daleanime]

30. Thanks that good to know....

any other restrictions for us NY'ers that you know of?

[merrily]

36. Google. I bet you my home that NY put the info online.

If it's not clear, call the office of the Secretary of State or your city hall.

[L0oniX]

31. Thanks to Bernie I won't changing my registration to Ind.

[merrily]

37. As I said, win win.

Though the Party may never admit it, Bernie's candidacy is doing it a huge favor.