2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Why closed primaries are undemocratic [View all]metamorphosis
(25 posts)1. we all agree, one imagines, that Oregon leads the way with all voters being registered and able to send in their vote each election. easy, no voter suppression. If they allow independent voters to vote, I'd consider Oregon ideal.
2. There's a big step down from Oregon, although some states do allow same day registration, and are open to independents, and have little or no voter suppression (voter id requirements, etc.).
3. we could/should start a movement among like minded people to make everyone registered to vote once attaining the age of 18, with no other requirements other than registering (open to all). zero voter suppression, all welcome.
4. why are open primaries better than closed primaries? There was once a time when the two parties had 80% of all voters affiliated with one or the other. In such cases, there could be mischief, with thousands of GOP voting in Democrats and wreaking havoc.
5. but non-aligned independent voters now outnumber both dems and reps, and if either party refused to allow independent voters to participate in their primaries, they alienate those indepednent voters, and they squander the opportunity to welcome specific independent voters abord for the next election.
6. in fact, it may turn out to be the party which gets the most independents voting in their primaries that will surge out ahead in upcoming primaires.
7. we could ask all states to schedule primaries if they can afford doing so. If not, a list of practices could be set forth to make any remaining caucuses fair and neutral.
8. demcratic states in the US South should sprinkle their primary dates out more widely so that their influence is so extreme as it has been this year.