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Vote for the best person running — or just the best of the party?
Measure 65 would eliminate party designations in primary elections, which would allow voters to vote for any candidate. Good idea or not?
Consider this, though: While you’d be able to vote on everyone willing to run in the primary, only the top two advance to the general election. That means, goodbye minor parties looking for a chance to present their ideas in November, especially when interest is high. In the past, they’ve been able to run in the general election.
The measure would not apply to presidential candidates, but would apply to members of Congress and state positions. No more Pacific Green party. So long Libertarians. Sayonara Constitution Party. Auf wiedersehen Working Family Party (and that’s a new one on us). And there’s probably some more.
So would the change be worth it?
Please send us your comments.
—Opinion Editor Pat Bushey
Consider this, though: While you’d be able to vote on everyone willing to run in the primary, only the top two advance to the general election. That means, goodbye minor parties looking for a chance to present their ideas in November, especially when interest is high. In the past, they’ve been able to run in the general election.
The measure would not apply to presidential candidates, but would apply to members of Congress and state positions. No more Pacific Green party. So long Libertarians. Sayonara Constitution Party. Auf wiedersehen Working Family Party (and that’s a new one on us). And there’s probably some more.
So would the change be worth it?
Please send us your comments.
—Opinion Editor Pat Bushey
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of HeraldAndNews.com. Comment Disclaimer: The editors of heraldandnews.com reserve the right to refuse publication of any comment posted for consideration. We may refuse for any reason, including use of profanity, disparaging comments, libelous comments, etc. Any reader who notices a comment they believe is particularly offensive, should notify us at webmaster@heraldandnews.com.
Wrong Premise wrote on Oct 26, 2008 11:19 PM:
" Studies show that Party affiliation is an important "chunk" of information about the candidates.
Incumbants have such an edge, regardless of partisan vs non-partisan elections, because the campaign season is typically a very short window into who the candidates are. In non-partisan elections where there is no, or an unpopular, incumbant running. The best "salesperson" will win, regardless of qualifications.
In the party system we currently have, you get two views of the candidates. One in the primary, and another in the general. This is a good thing.
The 2 major parties need to clean up there act and begin representing the voters, and drop the nasty politics, if they are to have a future. "
Incumbants have such an edge, regardless of partisan vs non-partisan elections, because the campaign season is typically a very short window into who the candidates are. In non-partisan elections where there is no, or an unpopular, incumbant running. The best "salesperson" will win, regardless of qualifications.
In the party system we currently have, you get two views of the candidates. One in the primary, and another in the general. This is a good thing.
The 2 major parties need to clean up there act and begin representing the voters, and drop the nasty politics, if they are to have a future. "
Fireye wrote on Oct 25, 2008 1:46 AM:
" I don't think am "left" or "right". I am a human stuck on Earth just like you. I think the best party is one where the band is in tune and everybody is having fun. There is a common sense way to do things and the political way to do things and I am tired of the political way. It ain't not be working!! If we don't figure out how to meet on common ground and soon we are going to loose our country to the bankers and we will never get it back. Time is almost up. "
joe fisherman wrote on Oct 22, 2008 11:09 AM:
" good luck with any politics its all a farse anyways. baa baa sheep! "
tater_salad wrote on Oct 21, 2008 10:47 AM:
" I would like to see some more explanation rather than generalities from such radical left-wingers like fireye. I'd also like additional explanation from Dave as not all of us (namely myself) understand the fallacies of open primaries? I'm fully willing to admit I'm not informed enough to understand the issue. "
Fireye wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:49 PM:
" We never have any real choices in the matter anyways because anybody that will not play ball with the "old school club" never has a chance.
The voting system is a joke made to deliberately be as confusing as possible to the public school indoctrinated masses that have lost the ability to think critically about anything it seems. I am always asking "the man on the street" basic questions and am appalled to see how in the dark they are about everything. Some sound like hypnotized parrots. One does run across those who are truly informed (not MSM educated either) and this is happening more and more. I have been on the internet for 12 years and have been watching the numbers of the newly informed grow exponentially. There is a "smart revolution" taking place on this planet due to the internet and alternative news sources.
Hopefully soon all these "old school" politicians with their outdated and traditionalistic ways that cause so much misery in our lives will fade away and we will no longer have to choose between "the lesser of two evils". I say don't vote for evil period. If there is a new way to attempt to fool us with a sophisticated and technically confusing 500 or so page "law" (you get my meaning?) they will do it. They know the value of keeping the rift between the common man and the government bureaucracy as wide as possible that way we have to go broke paying attorney fees to translate all the "government speak" into something that is even remotely understandable to the average citizen. That is when one really understands just how bad one has been cheated. "
The voting system is a joke made to deliberately be as confusing as possible to the public school indoctrinated masses that have lost the ability to think critically about anything it seems. I am always asking "the man on the street" basic questions and am appalled to see how in the dark they are about everything. Some sound like hypnotized parrots. One does run across those who are truly informed (not MSM educated either) and this is happening more and more. I have been on the internet for 12 years and have been watching the numbers of the newly informed grow exponentially. There is a "smart revolution" taking place on this planet due to the internet and alternative news sources.
Hopefully soon all these "old school" politicians with their outdated and traditionalistic ways that cause so much misery in our lives will fade away and we will no longer have to choose between "the lesser of two evils". I say don't vote for evil period. If there is a new way to attempt to fool us with a sophisticated and technically confusing 500 or so page "law" (you get my meaning?) they will do it. They know the value of keeping the rift between the common man and the government bureaucracy as wide as possible that way we have to go broke paying attorney fees to translate all the "government speak" into something that is even remotely understandable to the average citizen. That is when one really understands just how bad one has been cheated. "
Kimberly T. wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:51 AM:
" No! We keep making considerations because there is no back-bone to any decisions in this country! American's need to quit being wishy-washy! "
Michele wrote on Oct 18, 2008 4:46 PM:
" I'm a registered "non-affiliate" ON PURPOSE.
I get enough junk mail- i don't need more from all the parties trying to get me to vote for their candidate. I think most non-affiliates like me want to make their own decisions and accept that we don't get to vote in primaries for candidates of the parties we don't want to be affiliated with...get it? We DON'T WANT TO BE AFFILIATED!!
I think this is a stupid measure- don't they have better things to make up measures for- like lowering taxes and getting rid of politicians who insist they need more money to make the government bigger?? "
I get enough junk mail- i don't need more from all the parties trying to get me to vote for their candidate. I think most non-affiliates like me want to make their own decisions and accept that we don't get to vote in primaries for candidates of the parties we don't want to be affiliated with...get it? We DON'T WANT TO BE AFFILIATED!!
I think this is a stupid measure- don't they have better things to make up measures for- like lowering taxes and getting rid of politicians who insist they need more money to make the government bigger?? "
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Every Day wrote on Oct 26, 2008 11:25 PM:
Pay attention, and get involved, or quit complaining.
Every elected office is important for us to participate. Not just the "glamour elections".
This is our community, state, and nation. The bad politicians can only get away with bad behavior if we let them. We let them when we; don't pay attention, and don't get involved. "