Sen. Bernie Sanders faces challenge to New Hampshire ballot eligibility

[LiberalArkie]

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) —Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is facing a challenge to his eligibility for the Democratic primary ballot in New Hampshire because of his longtime status as an independent.

The state's filing paperwork requires a candidate to declare as a registered member of whichever party he or she is running in.

The complaint, filed Thursday, claims Sanders is ineligible because he has never been elected as a Democrat. Sanders declared himself a Democrat while filing to run last week.

The state's five-member Ballot Law Commission, which rules on questions of eligibility, will take up the challenge Nov. 24.

Snip

http://www.wptz.com/news/sen-bernie-sanders-faces-challenge-to-new-hampshire-ballot-eligibility/36409850

[RoccoR5955]

1. The guy who is posing this challenge

is a nut case. Plain and simple.
The complaint is based on a fallacy.

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. This is stupid.

Sanders declared himself a Democrat while filing to run last week.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

3. If the excerpt accurately represents the challenge, it's laughable on its face.

No first timer would ever be able to run if the requirement were 'having been elected as a Democrat'. You'd only be able to run as an incumbent.

If the challenge claim doesn't match the language of the actual requirement, the only way for them to 'win' is naked partisanship in favour of Hillary. Will they want to be that blatant, and piss off a large portion of their voters, possibly losing those votes downballot as well?

[merrily]

4. Having been elected as a Democrat in the past is not how one becomes a Democrat.

(Does no one see the inherent Catch 22?)

One becomes a Democrat the way the state of one's residence prescribes for becoming a Democrat. Inasmuch as Vermont does not allow anyone to register by party, one registers in Vermont simply as a voter. When party affiliation is relevant, Vermont allow one to identify oneself however one wishes. Changing party affiliation is done the same way. It's just a more modern, less rigid, way of doing things.

You cannot run for the Democratic Presidential nomination without being a Democrat. Hence when, in May 2015, when Bernie announced he was doing that, if not before, he changed from independent to Democrat. Much as Chafee changed from Republican to Democrat at some point before he announced, however Chafee's state allows him to do that. (O'Malley is the only one seeking the Democratic nomination who started his political life as a Democrat. At some point, each of them switched in accordance with the law of their state of residence.)

The State of Vermont has recognized Sanders as a Democrat, as has the Vermont Democratic Party, the New Hampshire Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee. However, the State of Vermont is the legally relevant recognition. Additionally, Vermont's recognition
gives rise to the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution, which binds the State of New Hampshire.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/128018753

In sum, this is bs kabuki.

[Art_from_Ark]

8. Tommy Robinson was elected to Congress as a Democrat in Arkansas's 2nd district

Then he switched parties.

[monicaangela]

12. If they aren't

worried about Bernie, why go through all of this trouble to try to keep him off the ballot? My question is, does it have something to do with the fact that he will probably beat Hillary in the New Hampshire primary and become more interesting to the rest of the electorate when he does? I wonder...

[monicaangela]

5. I really wouldn't worry about this

“I am running as a Democrat obviously, I am a Democrat now,” Sanders said after filing.

Sanders campaign says it is confident he meets the requirements. Sanders caucuses with Democrats in the Senate and has the backing of the Democratic National Committee and New Hampshire Democratic Party to run in the party’s primary.

“We’re going to focus less on frivolous challenges that undermine the gravity of the New Hampshire primary, and more on the issues that affect every day Americans: from income inequality to the appalling influence of corporations on our political process,” said Karthik Ganapathy, Sanders’ New Hampshire spokesman.

http://www.vermontpressbureau.com/2015/11/12/sanders-faces-challenge-to-new-hampshire-ballot-eligibility/

[merrily]

9. LOL! He never misses a chance to press home one or more issues.

[monicaangela]

13. Of course not,

Bernie keeps his mind on the reason he is running, not petty gotcha politics like some other candidates.

[nc4bo]

6. Hell, if this what it takes for M$M to cover Sanders than let it be.

I doubt it'll go anywhere but the media coverage will help promote Sanders.

Think ++

[merrily]

10. Great point, nc4bo! Thanks.

[Enthusiast]

7. Just another hurdle while they move the goal posts.

[merrily]

11. People in and out of government need to catch up. Vermont's way on this is the way of the future.

At least, it should be. No "gotchas' that prevent you from voting in the primary of your choice for any given election.

[mmonk]

14. I'm a multi generational southern Democrat. Don't screw with Bernie too much

unless you don't care if we leave.

[LiberalArkie]

15. He may speak for a lot more of Southern Democrats & Republicans than people want to

admit.

Take a look at this. People do not think of Arkansas back back in the 30's and 40's having Socialist college.

Notable alumni include: Gordon McIntire and Reuben Cole, two of the leaders of the Louisiana Farmers' Union[2] Agnes "Sis" Cunningham and Lee Hays, founders with Pete Seeger of the Almanac Singers and The Weavers in New York City (Cunningham also later founded and helped edit Broadside Magazine); Kenneth Patchen, a well-known poet and artist; and Orval E. Faubus, six-term governor of Arkansas.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_College_(Arkansas)

[mmonk]

16. +1