2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumCan Someone Please Explain How MIXED Primaries Work?
Both NC and Ohio are 'mixed' primaries. I interpret this to mean some precincts allow switch over votes and others do not. Can anyone identify which counties/precincts or whatever---have open voting and which ones are closed? Thank you!
Tue, Mar 15 Florida Closed
Tue, Mar 15 Illinois Open
Tue, Mar 15 Missouri Open
Tue, Mar 15 North Carolina Mixed
Tue, Mar 15 Northern Mariana Is. Caucus Closed
Tue, Mar 15 Ohio Mixed
Read more at http://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2016-presidential-primary-schedule-calendar/#PsvUhQHx16dsrxri.99
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)we were required to tell the poll workers which one we wanted. Dem or Rep.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Anyone can vote in anything, but only one.
Party registration is meaningless, in so far as primaries are concerned.
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)Thanks though.
pkdu
(3,977 posts)OhioBlue
(5,126 posts)You request your ballot when you vote. If you request an R ballot, you become registered R. If you request D, you become registered D. You can also request an issues only ballot.
TDale313
(7,820 posts)It appears the way it works is you claim party affiliation not when you register, but by requesting one or the other's ballot in the primary. Anyone registered to vote could request either a Dem or Rep ballot- they would then be listed as a dem or rep on the voter rolls unless they chose the other party's ballot in a future primary
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)TDale313
(7,820 posts)You're choosing to vote in either the Republican or Dem primaries
Svafa
(594 posts)That sounds like how it is here in MO, but we are listed as "open," not "mixed." What's the difference between the two?
Cal Carpenter
(4,959 posts)of registration in these 'mixed' states.
In Michigan, we have an open primary. I am registered as an independent and when I choose the Dem ballot I don't become registered as a Dem. I'm still an independent. I think MO is the same way. But it looks like in the 'mixed' states, it isn't quite an open party because you are declaring your affiliation when you choose a ballot.
That's how I read it, anyway. Maybe it's meant to deter people from crossing over for strategic reasons rather than sticking with the party they identify with?
Svafa
(594 posts)revbones
(3,660 posts)In NC
1. If you are Dem or Rep, you can only vote in that primary
(Me a registered Dem had to vote in Dem primary. My father-in-law a registered Rep had to vote in Rep primary)
2. If you are unaffiliated, you can vote in either primary
(My wife & mother-in-law are unaffiliated. They each requested a Dem ballot to vote for Bernie)
3. Registered Independent - is this such a thing? Someone told me that as a "registered independent" they were prohibited in voting in either primary today. I'm not sure of whether this is true or not, I can only vouch for #1 & #2
From the NC site:
If you registered as an Unaffiliated voter and want to vote in the Primary, you can ask for a Republican, Democratic, Libertarian or Nonpartisan ballot. Your choice does not change your Unaffiliated status or obligate you to vote for a partys candidates in the General Election. However, if there is a Primary Runoff, you can only participate in the Runoff of the same party that you selected in the original Primary.
If you are unaffiliated (yes, there is such a thing), you choose either a Republican or Democratic ballot.
revbones
(3,660 posts)In #3 I said " Registered Independent " and asked if there was such a thing since I acknowledged "unaffiliated" in #2
B2G
(9,766 posts)Same thing.
revbones
(3,660 posts)And you'll hopefully understand where you went wrong.
LisaM
(27,820 posts)was that you were handed a ballot with Republican on one side and Democratic on the other. You go to the machine and vote one side or the other. If you vote on both sides, the ballot is spoiled and won't count.
So, it allows for crossover voting and independents to vote in party primaries. Good people disagree over this (should independents get to choose candidates for the parties?), but that's the way it's set up in some states.
In Washington state, you need to sign an affidavit confirming that you can be considered a Democrat or Republican for that caucus. It's then considered a felony to vote for the other party in their primary or caucus, but in 2008 the Democrats told me that they did not intend to cross check the lists (they held a "beauty contest" primary a couple of months after the caucus).
I'm not personally a fan of open primaries, but they exist, and can wreak some havoc, as we have seen
nichomachus
(12,754 posts)The parties decide whether independents can vote in their primary. So, as an independent, you don't know until the party makes a decision.
I was registered as an independent, but changed to Dem, so I could vote for Bernie. Once I vote, or if the primary is "over" before I vote, I will re-register as an independent.
California also has a bunch of other wacky election laws that were put in by ballot questions. They were clearly designed in an attempt to give Republicans a leg up.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)When you say "Independent" in California, you are referring to an actual established political party. The CDP has decided you can vote in the Democratic Party primary if you are a registered Democrat or a registered No Party Preference. When you get to your precinct, the precinct worker will ask you which party's ballot you would like. If you want to vote for Bernie, you tell them Democrat.
The Republicans, however, only allow registered Republicans to vote in their primary.
We've been doing massive voter registration here and the fact that the CDP lets NPP to vote in their primary is a good thing because the DNC and the CDP have so soiled the name "Democrat" that, if they had to register as a Democrat to vote for Bernie, many probably wouldn't. We get about half and half.
nichomachus
(12,754 posts)However, I vote by mail. So how do I get the right ballot?
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)but all you have to do is call your county election office and they'll have the answer.
nichomachus
(12,754 posts)Kittycat
(10,493 posts)North Carolina
https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2016
And, Hybrid Systems
https://ballotpedia.org/Hybrid_primary
Land of Enchantment
(1,217 posts)and I understand that many in Ohio are crossing over from Democratic to Republican to vote for Kasich. I am wondering if the densely populated areas are open or closed and why it is categorized as 'mixed'. I can't find anything on the interwebs to explain that part of it.
B2G
(9,766 posts)If you're registered Republican, you get the ballot for the Republican candidates.
If you're registered Democrat, you get the ballot for the Democratic candidates.
If you're unaffiliated, you choose your ballot.