Comments on: Registered Independent in Pennsylvania? Your vote doesn’t count! http://jerseymike.org/2007/05/independent-voters-turned-away-in-harrisburg/ We ain't even keeping score no more... Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:53:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Joe http://jerseymike.org/2007/05/independent-voters-turned-away-in-harrisburg/comment-page-1/#comment-124699 Joe Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:25:37 +0000 http://jerseymike.org/?p=140#comment-124699 Why don't we pass these comments on to our elected reps and get them to say why independents should not vote in primaries> Why don’t we pass these comments on to our elected reps and get them to say why independents should not vote in primaries>

]]> By: Tom http://jerseymike.org/2007/05/independent-voters-turned-away-in-harrisburg/comment-page-1/#comment-8537 Tom Fri, 18 May 2007 17:21:08 +0000 http://jerseymike.org/?p=140#comment-8537 I'm registered with the Green party. I sympathize, because I often wish I could vote on the primaries of other parties too, but that wouldn't be fair. Only Democrats should be able to decide who they're going to run for office. That's the way it should work with every party. Maybe you should join a party. Third parties need registered members in order to gain greater ballot access. Join a third party and you'd effectively remain independent in the primaries, but you'd help the cause of getting more ballot diversity in November. Then you could vote for whomever you want. I’m registered with the Green party. I sympathize, because I often wish I could vote on the primaries of other parties too, but that wouldn’t be fair.

Only Democrats should be able to decide who they’re going to run for office. That’s the way it should work with every party.

Maybe you should join a party. Third parties need registered members in order to gain greater ballot access. Join a third party and you’d effectively remain independent in the primaries, but you’d help the cause of getting more ballot diversity in November. Then you could vote for whomever you want.

]]> By: abbylyn http://jerseymike.org/2007/05/independent-voters-turned-away-in-harrisburg/comment-page-1/#comment-8508 abbylyn Thu, 17 May 2007 20:13:26 +0000 http://jerseymike.org/?p=140#comment-8508 It is unfortunate that in a city, or area that is overwhelmingly one sided in party registration that a primary is effectually a general election, however, as others have said, a primary is for members of a declared party to decide which of their candidates is best suited to run in the general election. Taking this into account, even though you have independent leanings, it may behoove you to change your registration to D in time for the mayoral election in 2 years. You could always switch it back. The other option is to get candidates to run as an independent.... You should have been allowed to vote on Act 1 and if you were refused, you need to contact the Election Board.... It is unfortunate that in a city, or area that is overwhelmingly one sided in party registration that a primary is effectually a general election, however, as others have said, a primary is for members of a declared party to decide which of their candidates is best suited to run in the general election. Taking this into account, even though you have independent leanings, it may behoove you to change your registration to D in time for the mayoral election in 2 years. You could always switch it back.

The other option is to get candidates to run as an independent….

You should have been allowed to vote on Act 1 and if you were refused, you need to contact the Election Board….

]]> By: yosh http://jerseymike.org/2007/05/independent-voters-turned-away-in-harrisburg/comment-page-1/#comment-8494 yosh Thu, 17 May 2007 13:07:31 +0000 http://jerseymike.org/?p=140#comment-8494 Sorry Jersy, but I disagree with you on this one. Closed primaries make sense. They are an opportunity for the members of a political party to choose who they want to represent them in the open election. There are unintended consequences that occurn in states with open primaries. For example, it is very common for people in these states to vote for the weakest candidate of the other party in order to try to stack the deck for the general election. This is not good. Democrats should not be able to select a Republican candidate and vice versa. Closed primaries are about the inner workings of an organization, and it does not make sense to allow outsiders to be part of that. Sorry Jersy, but I disagree with you on this one. Closed primaries make sense. They are an opportunity for the members of a political party to choose who they want to represent them in the open election.

There are unintended consequences that occurn in states with open primaries. For example, it is very common for people in these states to vote for the weakest candidate of the other party in order to try to stack the deck for the general election. This is not good. Democrats should not be able to select a Republican candidate and vice versa. Closed primaries are about the inner workings of an organization, and it does not make sense to allow outsiders to be part of that.

]]> By: nttnypride http://jerseymike.org/2007/05/independent-voters-turned-away-in-harrisburg/comment-page-1/#comment-8436 nttnypride Tue, 15 May 2007 21:48:35 +0000 http://jerseymike.org/?p=140#comment-8436 Remember, it's not just the Independents in the city who can't vote for the 3 candidates who will effectively be our next councilmembers; all of the registered Republicans also have no vote. Remember, it’s not just the Independents in the city who can’t vote for the 3 candidates who will effectively be our next councilmembers; all of the registered Republicans also have no vote.

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