Independents and primaries

mickeyrat

Ok, as a registered independent I cant vote on people running , just the local issues on the ballot for my area.

Not a big deal to me, is what it is. But I'm wondering if I should use my voting power to help play spoiler for/against the repubs. Would mean I am "affiliated" when I ask for their ballot. Heres what I mean. from the state of ohio secretary of state website for voting.



Do I declare my political party affiliation when I register?
No. Under Ohio election law, you declare your political party affiliation by requesting the ballot of a political party in a partisan primary election.

If you do not desire to affiliate with a political party in Ohio, you are considered to be an unaffiliated voter. An unaffiliated voter does not vote the ballot of a political party in a primary election. However, an unaffiliated voter may vote the Official Questions & Issues Ballot, if there is one for the voter's precinct at the election.



I am wondering what your opinions are related to Indep. "using" the system in this way.

inlet13

mickeyrat wrote:

Ok, as a registered independent I cant vote on people running , just the local issues on the ballot for my area.

Not a big deal to me, is what it is. But I'm wondering if I should use my voting power to help play spoiler for/against the repubs. Would mean I am "affiliated" when I ask for their ballot. Heres what I mean. from the state of ohio secretary of state website for voting.



Do I declare my political party affiliation when I register?
No. Under Ohio election law, you declare your political party affiliation by requesting the ballot of a political party in a partisan primary election.

If you do not desire to affiliate with a political party in Ohio, you are considered to be an unaffiliated voter. An unaffiliated voter does not vote the ballot of a political party in a primary election. However, an unaffiliated voter may vote the Official Questions & Issues Ballot, if there is one for the voter's precinct at the election.



I am wondering what your opinions are related to Indep. "using" the system in this way.

Not sure I completely understand, but I see no problem with an Independent registering Republican to vote one way or another in a primary then switching back. Probably happens all the time. I wouldn't consider that 'using' anything, I think it's more letting your voice be heard.

mikepegg44

I don't think it is using the system. I would first find a candidate you like that is running for office, whether it be republican, democrat, green, or communist...it doesn't matter...then, once you have figured out which candidate speaks to you, if you felt they needed the help you should do whatever you are able to do within your state's election laws to make that candidate the strongest....if that means you want to vote for Santorum to give Obama the easiest chance at a win then that is up to you, it seems like a good idea if you ask me

polaris_x

i don't see how you can influence the inevitability that Romney will be the GOP nomination against Obama in November!??

mickeyrat

mikepegg44 wrote:

I don't think it is using the system. I would first find a candidate you like that is running for office, whether it be republican, democrat, green, or communist...it doesn't matter...then, once you have figured out which candidate speaks to you, if you felt they needed the help you should do whatever you are able to do within your state's election laws to make that candidate the strongest....if that means you want to vote for Santorum to give Obama the easiest chance at a win then that is up to you, it seems like a good idea if you ask me

that seems a little like kissing your sister!!

My thoughts were a little more shortsighted. Like sticking it to both of the frontrunners a little bit (I swear their commercials are making my laugh. Now Mitt helped save the winter olympics!)

For me personally , while the pres does sign things into law , its more formality than anything else. The pres is just a mouthpiece, the world public face of the U.S. The real power lies with congress.

cincybearcat

Personally I think an independent voter (actually any voter) should go to the polls to vote for a candidate, especially in a primary. In a primary, if you aren't going to vote for the person you wouldn't mind seeing running for office, don't go. Otherwise you are making a mockery of the system and really proving why there needs to be more stringent voting laws.

mickeyrat

cincybearcat wrote:

Personally I think an independent voter (actually any voter) should go to the polls to vote for a candidate, especially in a primary. In a primary, if you aren't going to vote for the person you wouldn't mind seeing running for office, don't go. Otherwise you are making a mockery of the system and really proving why there needs to be more stringent voting laws.

this is what I'm on the fence about.Just because I CAN do something doesnt mean I SHOULD do that thing.
I participate in the process. Maybe I'm not as informed as some, but I'm a part of it. I think its important that folks do. Now I dont care really who or why you vote the way you do, just that you are part of it. Having said that, it seems a little false to me that this is allowed.

See, my reason for maybe doing this isnt as pure as stated in the above post.

cincybearcat

mickeyrat wrote:

cincybearcat wrote:

Personally I think an independent voter (actually any voter) should go to the polls to vote for a candidate, especially in a primary. In a primary, if you aren't going to vote for the person you wouldn't mind seeing running for office, don't go. Otherwise you are making a mockery of the system and really proving why there needs to be more stringent voting laws.

this is what I'm on the fence about.Just because I CAN do something doesnt mean I SHOULD do that thing.
I participate in the process. Maybe I'm not as informed as some, but I'm a part of it. I think its important that folks do. Now I dont care really who or why you vote the way you do, just that you are part of it. Having said that, it seems a little false to me that this is allowed.

See, my reason for maybe doing this isnt as pure as stated in the above post.

Now, if you go and vote for the best candidate from the group, and then you still vote against them in the general election...I obviously have no problem with that.

In reality, all that happens when people go to the polls to vote for the crazy guy/girl from the other party is we all end up with worse choices.