Can anyone explain US parties (political)

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Apr 11th 2016, 9:53 am

#31

mrken30

Lost in BE Cyberspace

Joined: Jul 2008

Location: Portlandia Metro

Posts: 7,427

Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rete

Actually you don't have to register for any party. Registration only allows you to vote for your party's various candidates in a primary. They will hound you because they want to increase the numbers on their political tally board. The registration as a Rep/Dem/Cons/Liberal means nothing when you are voting in the general elections. You can vote for any candidate inside or outside of your registered preference. For over 50 years, I held no party affiliation.

I registered for the majority party in my State. This is a democratic safe seat , so if you want atleast some say in who wins, you have to register as a democrat.
There was an immigration website that gave some logic on how to register, but can't remember what it was.

Apr 12th 2016, 9:02 am

#32

Pulaski

Joined: Dec 2001

Location: Dixie, ex UK

Posts: 52,624

Re: Can anyone explain US parties (political)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrken30

In NC primaries are voted on by registered members of the party, PLUS independents, I believe this is fairly common, though not true in every state. I think they call them "open primaries".

Once I realized the significance of this I gave up my party affiliation to give me more options in the primary elections. I suspect that this reason is behind the oft-reported increase in the number of independents, not some general disaffection with any particular political party.