quick question re 3/4 primaries

[NMDemDist2]

are the states open primaries or closed primaries?

[TexasObserver]

1. Texas is open

[NMDemDist2]

3. thanks

:hi:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. Well, kind of any way.

Officially, Texas has closed primaries. But not really in practice. Which is why it's usually called an open primary. The only closed part is that if a person has participated in a primary of one party then they can't participate in a runoff primary or convention for the other.

We're weird. What can I say. :shrug:

[TexasObserver]

7. It's OPEN, because you can choose on election day which party's primary to vote in.

That's as open as it gets.

The CAUCUS which follows the primary is CLOSED, based upon which party's primary you voted in.

I don't know why you would call it "well, kind of any way." That's incorrect.

Anyone who is registered in time can vote in either primary, and that's what an open primary is.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. That's how it was explained to me.

Here's the article from UT says that was sited when the difference was explained to me.


<snip>

Officially, Texas has closed primaries. But in practice, any registered voter may vote in the primary of any single party, as long as they have not voted in the primary of another party. Texas's primaries are closed in a less direct way: once a registered voter has in effect declared his or her party affiliation by voting for the nominees in a party's primary, that person cannot participate in the proceedings (for instance, a runoff primary or convention) of another party.

<snip>

http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/html/vce/0201.html

I've always considered them open, as do most people. However, I guess there's some very minor distinction there. :shrug:

[TexasObserver]

9. That's right. Once they vote in 1 primary, they can only participate in that party's runoffs/caucus.

The poster wanted to know whether a voter had to register some time ahead as R or D, which produces a closed primary, was my inference, so I opted for the direct answer.

I think we agree on how it is.

I have some info on the Texas primary from the Democratic party in my journal, explaining the primary and caucus process.

[mohc]

2. Answers

The Green Papers - Check out the voter eligibility column on the right.

OH - Modified Open
RI - Modified Open
TX - Open
VT - Open

[NMDemDist2]

5. thanks

that should be in Obama's favor I guess eh?

[mohc]

6. Actually no

Obama and Clinton have split closed primaries fairly evenly, he has dominated caucuses and open primaries. But Clinton so far has dominated in modified primaries. All Clinton's big wins have come in modified primaries: CA, NH, NJ, and MA. Obama so far has won a single modified primary: UT. But I think the modified primary trend is just one of those anomalies of the schedule, I would expect it to end next Tuesday.