closed primary elections...beneficial or just plain stupid?

[javero]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:13pm

Today, that state of Maryland like nearly 30 others holds its 2006 Gubernatorial/state-wide/local primary elections. At issue is that fact that voters currently not registered to either the Republican or Democratic party are ineligible to cast their vote apart from in non-partisan categories like school board, county register of wills, etc. A few years back the MD chapter of the GOP opened up its primary to independents but closed that door quickly because the net gain in primary election participation was nil.

Do you guys (and gals) see any virtue or vice in the primary system? In a way, I think its outlived it utility and merely serves as a tool to downsize the candidate pool. The real campaigning in which the candidates present themselves and their views on substantive issue seems to always kickoff after this little exercise.

Updated On: 9/12/06 at 04:13 PM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:36pm

I am in favor of a closed primary where just the enrolled members of the political party choose the candidate.

Independent voters are just that. Non-partisan. A primary is by its very nature, intra-party.

If one wants to participate in a primary then enroll in a party. I know uber-liberal people who live in rural areas (read 'Republican') and are registered in the GOP so that they will have a choice in local elections which are often settled in the Republican primary. Most elections in large cities are settled in the Democratic primary.

The primary system has allowed itself to be hijacked by the passionate party members. Many registered party members don't vote in a primary allowing the very left or very right wing candidates the nominations. This is how the radical right took over many state GOP party structures. It is how Tammany Hall owned New York for years.

I am also against a candidate running for an office on two or more party lines in a general election. Ever seen a ballot here in New York? For major offices, three separate party designations are not rare at all.

For the different political parties, find your own candidates. Local judgeships are often cross-filed with all the major parties. The ballot says "Vote For Three" and there are only three names. There might be six parties, but three candidates. Is this a subversion of democracy? I don't know.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:49pm

I think the system works, though I found it odd that when I walked into the booth today, it looked like I could have turned any of the switches. however, I did vote in the dem section. lol no votes for weak gop candidates were made by me.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 6:16pm

Believe me, in DC the two top Democratic contenders for Mayor are heavily campaigning. Each day for the past week or so, I have received one or more annoying messages from the Fenty campaign reminding me to vote. As a result of this, I voted for the other candidate anyway (who I think is better qualified).