2008 Massachusetts Voter Registration by Party Affiliation

[FarCenter]

                 Democrat   Republican    Other   Independent       Total  
Massachusetts   1,559,464      490,259   28,887     2,141,878   4,220,488 

Independents are over half the electorate in MA.

http://elections.gmu.edu/Registration_2008G.html

[graywarrior]

1. Let's hope the indies either stay home or vote our way

[dkf]

2. Yes we will win or lose depending on the indy vote.

So don't blame democrats for the turnout.

[Little Star]

3. Yep, If Dems sit home we're screwed here in MA.

I can't believe we are worrying about Ted's seat here in blue MA. I might just have to think about moving if we end up with that piece of crap Brown. Ugh!!!!!

[A-Long-Little-Doggie]

4. You mean that piece of Brown crap?

:evilgrin:

[Hello_Kitty]

5. Why so many independents?

Is there some advantage to not declaring a party in MA?

[lukasahero]

6. I believe if you are "unaffiliated" you can vote in either primary

That may have changed but I think that's why folks here (and some I know are never going to vote for a repug) remain "unaffiliated".

[Hello_Kitty]

8. We have the same thing in AZ but a far lower percentage of independents

And independents rarely vote in primaries even though they can select either ballot.

[FarCenter]

7. If you are registered as "unenrolled", you can vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary

Massachusetts voters who are registered as Democrats or Republicans can only vote in their respective primary.

So "unenrolled" gives you your choice of primaries. There is apparently an "Independent" party, so don't register as an Independent or you are effectively disenfranchized in MA primaries.

[pipi_k]

9. I was a registered Democrat, but switched to Independent because

I got sick of all the solicitations for money.

Since I switched, no more mail or phone begging from anybody.


Plus... I don't want to be judged for my political beliefs, if anyone does happen to find out what they are. Not that I go around telling people, but sometimes things like that do slip out.


So I switched to Independent, but vote Democrat 99.9% of the time. Except for once in 2008 when a local Democratic candidate sounded more like a RW nutbagger than his Republican opponent.

I'll vote for Coakley.

:)

[ellenfl]

10. i have heard that other new england states have mostly

independents. if florida allowed independents to vote in the primaries, i would probably still be registered indie.

ellen fl