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Calista241

(5,586 posts)
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 12:38 AM Feb 2020

California moves to allow voters to switch party registration on election day

Source: The Hill

California's governor signed a bill last week that allows state residents to switch their party affiliation on election day, a change expected to increase primary election participation.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed the bill Thursday, allowing voters to fill out a short form at any point in the last two weeks before an election including the day itself declaring their party affiliation.

The bill ensures that a resident may vote in their intended party's primary even if they miss the official registration deadline, presuming that their application is accepted by county officials.

California's embrace of conditional voter registration for the general election in 2018 led to historic midterm turnout in the state during an election that saw the number of GOP House members in the state's 53-member congressional delegation fall to single digits.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/483331-california-moves-to-allow-voters-to-switch-party-registration-on-election

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California moves to allow voters to switch party registration on election day (Original Post) Calista241 Feb 2020 OP
Another stupid move, along with our semi-open primary to allow those who don't want to be identified still_one Feb 2020 #1
Actually that was up to the Democratic Party. Mr.Bill Feb 2020 #2
I know, I am a Californian, and I think it is screwed up. At a minimum it encourages mischef, and still_one Feb 2020 #4
I agree. But until this bill, Mr.Bill Feb 2020 #6
You're absolutely right still_one Feb 2020 #7
What's the one republican in California going to do? jimfields33 Feb 2020 #9
Look at the governors we've had, including Reagan still_one Feb 2020 #10
Must be Bernie's fault again, eh? RandiFan1290 Feb 2020 #15
In a general election a person has one vote, and will vote for either of two candidates, not_the_one Feb 2020 #3
+++ still_one Feb 2020 #5
Absolutley correct! pazzyanne Feb 2020 #14
Kinda thinking BOTh parties should allow it in a state, or NEITHER. n/t Beartracks Feb 2020 #21
Also, speaking as an experienced poll worker/Inspector, Mr.Bill Feb 2020 #8
Hooray! Now I can switch to the Whig Party at the last minute and fool everyone! Kablooie Feb 2020 #11
Bull Moose or Bust!! nt Codeine Feb 2020 #16
Shit. Here come the Republican ratfuckers to screw with our primary. SunSeeker Feb 2020 #12
Gee what could go wrong Raine Feb 2020 #13
This is dumb. OneCrazyDiamond Feb 2020 #17
We control the CA government, but there are MILLIONS of Repubs in the state. Calista241 Feb 2020 #19
That's true, but OneCrazyDiamond Feb 2020 #23
I see NO good reason for this! THEN bluestarone Feb 2020 #18
Yet another stupid move by California frazzled Feb 2020 #20
WTF? I think Newsome is Great - but this notsomuch. alittlelark Feb 2020 #22

still_one

(92,213 posts)
1. Another stupid move, along with our semi-open primary to allow those who don't want to be identified
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 12:46 AM
Feb 2020

as Democrats to help determine who the Democratic nominee is

Why don't we just ask the republicans to screw us

With this kind of crap, a republican registers as a Democrat, votes for who they believe with cause the most disruption, than change there registration back to republican

We are encouraging mischief by making it so easy to disrupt things

Really unfortunate




Mr.Bill

(24,300 posts)
2. Actually that was up to the Democratic Party.
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 12:57 AM
Feb 2020

It was their choice to let people with no stated party to vote a Democratic ballot. The republican party chose not to. Of course, this new bill would allow anyone to vote for any party provided they are willing to change their party anytime before the election, including on election day.

When I became of voting age in the '72 election, I registered as a republican just so I could vote against Nixon in the primary.

still_one

(92,213 posts)
4. I know, I am a Californian, and I think it is screwed up. At a minimum it encourages mischef, and
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 01:00 AM
Feb 2020

also encourages people not to register as Democrats


Mr.Bill

(24,300 posts)
6. I agree. But until this bill,
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 01:06 AM
Feb 2020

our beef is with the Democratic Party leaders that allowed this, not the state.

 

not_the_one

(2,227 posts)
3. In a general election a person has one vote, and will vote for either of two candidates,
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 12:57 AM
Feb 2020

regardless of the party they are affiliated with. So I'm not that concerned with switching parties the day of the general election.

But being able to change your party the day of the PRIMARY will only make it easier for opposite party members to change affiliation and purposely select a primary candidate that may NOT be best for their new party. I would argue for a much longer cut off date. Shady politics, seems to me, and Republicans DELIGHT in shady politics. I believe there were some instances in the Iowa caucus. I would argue the woman demanding her vote BACK after finding out Pete was gay, was one. Yeah, like she wasn't aware of THAT little tidbit of info.

I have never understood "open" party voting, where the republicans can help decide the democratic candidates, or vice versa. It is a recipe for disaster for EITHER party.

pazzyanne

(6,556 posts)
14. Absolutley correct!
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 05:06 AM
Feb 2020

After watching NH voters declare, vote, and undeclare during their primary, I cannot believe that the Democrats are allowing this! Talk about setting yourself up to get a nominee that the republicans want! Makes me sick to my stomach -

Mr.Bill

(24,300 posts)
8. Also, speaking as an experienced poll worker/Inspector,
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 01:11 AM
Feb 2020

this is a major pain in the ass for poll workers. Just another way for errors to be made by poll workers who have had a few hours of training. I'm not working at the polls this year but my wife is. I will ask her how many people switched from republican to Democrat on election day.

SunSeeker

(51,564 posts)
12. Shit. Here come the Republican ratfuckers to screw with our primary.
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 02:42 AM
Feb 2020

And everyone knows who they'll vote for.

OneCrazyDiamond

(2,032 posts)
23. That's true, but
Tue Feb 18, 2020, 01:41 PM
Feb 2020

there are 10s of millions of us. Besides they are like the crazy person on the corner screaming "The end is near". Just ignore them, and get back to the task and hand.

bluestarone

(16,959 posts)
18. I see NO good reason for this! THEN
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 02:05 PM
Feb 2020

WHY i ask!!! Why do we have to cause more trouble for OURSELVES? Just doesn't make sense. DAM!

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
20. Yet another stupid move by California
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 05:07 PM
Feb 2020

In addition to their switch to the "top two" primary mishmash, in which all candidates of all parties are listed, and the top two go on to general.

Honestly, I'd just as soon have each party choose a nominee in the back room than our current system. It would save a lot of time and money too. Let's just get rid of primaries.

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