Most Of Oregon’s Newly Registered Voters Won’t Be Able To Particpate In The State’s Primary

[Alfresco]

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/16/3778610/oregon-closed-primary/

Yet thousands of voters who received ballots in the mail over the past few weeks may have been surprised to learn they can’t cast a vote in the presidential primaries. Oregon operates closed primaries, meaning that only registered Democrats can decide between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, and only registered Republicans can decide between Donald Trump and the ghosts of Ted Cruz and John Kasich, who have already bowed out of the race. Under the new DMV system, voters are automatically registered as “unaffiliated,” and later receive a form in the mail giving them the option to change their party affiliation or opt out entirely. The vast majority — 76 percent — did not take that extra step by the late April deadline, and thus can’t participate in the presidential primary. They will still be able to vote in some local races.

[seabeyond]

1. Too bad for the Libertarians and Baggers.

[DURHAM D]

4. Obviously Hillary is cheating again !!!!!

[seabeyond]

8. Sure they are. ONLY in the states Sanders loses. And clairvoyant, know the Sanders supporters. Nt

[BootinUp]

45. The System is RIGGED!

[seabeyond]

100. I tell you!!!

[Warren DeMontague]

104. No

She's gonna lose Oregon fair and square.

[workinclasszero]

98. Yup

[Mike Nelson]

2. Makes sense...

...you can't pick a Party for the voter. The voter has to pick a party - and they are alerted to that fact.

[Txbluedog]

3. Just realized Oregon is mail only

Let's see how this works out tomorrow

[NWCorona]

5. That's why you have to be informed.

[DCBob]

6. Too bad they weren't registered as Democrats in the first place.

There are consequences to shun the party one wants to choose the nominee for.

[Eric J in MN]

15. The Oregon DMV system doesn't register anyone as Democrats

...in the first place.

[Bluenorthwest]

48. These are people who were not registered to vote at all prior to the automatic registration this

year. 25% of those auto-registered joined a Party in time to take part in the Primary. Some of them will be persons who had intentionally not registered and will never participate, some will be persons who never join any Party. Others will join a Party once they catch up with the process. Of the 25% who did register with a Party, 80% registered as Democrats.

On the other hand, among Oregonians already registered to vote, three times more either changed affiliations or stated their first affiliation in the run up to this Primary than did so in 2008. Of course many of them will be persons preparing to vote for Bernie in our Primary, some could also be persons wishing to vote in the GOP primary. It's fair to assume that it will be about 80/20 in favor of Democrats that group as well.

If you are going to sneer at voters you should get your motivational ducks in a row first.

[DCBob]

55. Thank you for the detailed explanation.

My "sneer" refers to those who are quick to blame the system for not being able to vote when the rules are clear for those who want to participate as Democrats in the Democratic primary. They simply need to register as Democrats.. its not that complicated.

[Bluenorthwest]

58. But Bob, those registered under motor voter are people who were committed non participants.

This is a cohort that did not bother to register, much less to vote, in any election. Plenty there to chide, adults who don't bother to register have my disdain but they also have my political support in creating laws like this one that encourage them to take part. I am not sure where the value lies in tagging people who just now started paying attention to elections for being bad Democrats.

And while not complicated, this is very much brand new law. Those registered under the new law obviously are those who need encouragement to vote. No one had to register me at the DMV. Nor you.
I can understand persons who are politically apathetic not being entirely up to speed on a brand new election law.

The point of this law is to encourage those persons to take part. Of the 50,000 or so registered prior to the deadline, 25% did pick a Party in time. 80% of those joined our Party. This is good stuff.

And I'm simply not going to be harsh on people who are just now being pulled into the active electorate for not doing it all perfectly the fist time, nor do I care for the idea of encouraging participation then instantly snarking at people who are trying to take part. Most Americans do not vote. That's not very good. NYC, the average Democratic turnout is 12%. That's not very good. More people vote here and part of the reason is that we don't do the smarky, snarky 'how dare you speak out' routine at new voters if they get flummoxed by the system or expected it to be different.

How's the turnout in your State? Are you really in DC?

[DCBob]

60. I really like the idea of automatically registering people through the DMV.

I have no gripe with those who are newbies and simply confused how the system works. My gripe is with those who think they can participate in the process without joining the party and then complain that its the party's fault when they find out they cant vote.

Perhaps that not the case here with most of these folks but I suspect its true with many.

I actually live in Maryland just outside DC. Its fairly easy to register here. Its all online.

[Ohioblue22]

7. Karma?

[wildeyed]

9. Pretty damn amazing that OR has AUTOMATIC voter registration.

The state sent out reminders to unaffiliated voters as well. Are we mad about this? Really? Because people were AUTOMATICALLY registered to vote, but couldn't remember to send in a form with a party choice? hmmm...

[Maru Kitteh]

41. The poor little darlings cannot be bothered you know.

It's SO "status-quo anti-revolution" to actually REGISTER with the party. Like DUH.

[wildeyed]

43. And they ARE mad about it!

I really though I might have misunderstood. Automatic voter registration is the golden ring of GOOD voter access laws. I might be willing trade a body part to get that in my state. And they are MAD about it.

[Bluenorthwest]

49. No one is mad about it, it's a brand new process and it was initiated just in time for the Primary

The people who got 'auto-registered' are rather obviously people who are not generally paying close attention to elections. This law encourages them to vote by making it easier for them to do so.

Most people discussing this like to overlook the details. Among previously registered and active voters there was a large, large number of first time affiliations and Party changes. Extremely and unusually large. Among the group what was 'auto registered, 25% of them joined a Party in advance of the deadline for the Primary. Of that 25%, 80% joined the Democratic Party.

You seem very confused about what's going on here in Oregon.

[snort]

73. I'm happy as hell.

I went to the registrars office, registered as a Democrat, got my primary ballot in the mail and then I voted for Bernie Sanders. No problem.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

76. Maybe Bernie can still win, if he gets Oregon and California, which is what I told

my friend yesterday.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511980735

[Demsrule86]

89. No he can't ...

The math doesn't work.

[wildeyed]

78. Look down thread.

The fact that you have to pick a party and that the primary is not open is "voter suppression". I DID read the article, unlike many in this thread. I also learned that there was a ballot measure in 2014 to make OR primaries open and it was hugely defeated. BY THE VOTERS. Not The Establishment or DWS or Hillary Clinton. The people voted AGAINST open primaries.

[workinclasszero]

99. Auto voter registration is not good enough!!!!

VOTER SUPPRESSION!!11!!!

RIGGED!!!!!!!!1!1!

[NurseJackie]

10. Did Bernie's campaign have any outreach or publicity ahead of the deadline ...

... letting his supporters know that it was their responsibility to make sure their automatic "unaffiliated" status had been updated to "Democrat"?

[Bluenorthwest]

53. Among active and registered voters, more voters selected or changed Party affliliation this cycle

in Oregon than they did in 2008 by three times. The vast majority of those registered Democratic.

Among the group of persons who were 'automatically registered' under the new law, 25% joined a Party prior to the deadline, of that 28%, 80% registered as Democrats. The persons with automatic registrations were not active voters, not supporters of anyone. They are a cohort that did not bother to register to vote at all. The fact that thousands of them now will vote and that the vast majority of those new voters will vote Democratic are both really good bits of news. Among the 'auto registered' voters, any candidate would have been wise to do some outreach.

Bernie's campaign canvassed registered but non affiliated voters weeks ago. Those newly registered under the motor voter law are not on anyone's lists to canvass, they have been non participants who are now participating. The newly registered might take a cycle or so to wake up to the fact that they are now registered voters, some will take part and others will never vote.

Oregon also has cross nominations, so many people are Working Families Party, WFP endorses many Democrats, and those candidates are identified with both Parties on ballots. Obama, Merkley, all sorts of people get cross nominated by WFP.

[apnu]

68. Good more people are involved

Always bodes well for Democracy.

Did Sanders' campaign hit the airwaves to try and get undecideds to register for a party before the deadline?

[LoverOfLiberty]

11. Every newly automatically registered voter

Receives a letter from the SOS letting them know that they can chose a party if they wish.
And they can change their party affiliation online.
And they up to 21 days before the election to do it.

So yeah, nothing to worry about, we've got it covered here in Oregon.

[asuhornets]

13. The article said:

"76 percent — did not take that extra step by the late April deadline, and thus can’t participate in the presidential primary. "

[Ash_F]

16. That is their choice

Although I think primaries should be open.

[asuhornets]

17. Democrats should pick the Democratic nominee

[Ash_F]

18. That's like, your opinion man.

[MoonRiver]

85. So, you think it's OK for Republicans to pick the Democratic nominee?

[Ash_F]

86. If they are not able to also vote in the R primary, yes.

[MoonRiver]

96. Wow, amazing!

[Ash_F]

97. No it is actually quite standard in many states.

[still_one]

37. Absolutely. All they have to do is register as a Democrat. Is that so difficult? You are

absolutely right, Democrats should pick the Democratic nominee, and if someone doesn't have the motivation to register as a Democrat, then that is their problem, not the Democrats

[asuhornets]

47. +1,000,000

[bunchofpenguins]

72. You shouldn't have to join a f*#&ing club just to take part in the democratic process.

What is this country club elitist bulls*#&?

[still_one]

74. You have a problem registering as a Democrat? Anyone can register as a Democrat. This is no

"country club", except in your twisted version of reality.

In fact the republican SOS tried to change that in California, and the SC in a 7-2 opinion held that forcing a political party to allow anyone to vote in its primary violated a political party's first Amedment right of association. That case was the California Democratic Party, et al. v. Bill Jones, Secretary of State of California,

If you don't want your name associated with the Democratic party, then that is your problem, not the Democratic party's problem

[bunchofpenguins]

75. The Democratic Party doesn't represent Americans, they represent corporations.

I have a problem with a corrupt organisation deciding who the people get to vote for.

[Ned_Devine]

77. Exactly

[Demsrule86]

90. So go form your own "pure" party

Don't let the door....you know the rest.

[Recursion]

108. So why do you want to participate in our primary, then? (nt)

[wildeyed]

83. Tell it to the voters of Oregon.

They voted for closed primaries, and by a large margin. Read the last line of the article.

https://ballotpedia.org/Oregon_Open_Primary_Initiative,_Measure_90_(2014)

[redstateblues]

84. Start your own party

[99Forever]

128. Careful what you ask for.

You just might get it.

[Demsrule86]

92. A primary is not an election

so tough.

[Demsrule86]

92. A primary is not an election

so tough.

[Demsrule86]

94. A primary is not an election

so tough.

[Demsrule86]

95. A primary is not an election

so tough.

[moriah]

23. We're all entitled to our opinions...

... and if there was some way to tell if they really were left-leaning unaffiliated voters instead of Paulbots or Republicans who don't like to admit it, I wouldn't mind people who aren't registered Dems voting in our primaries.

What I don't like is the ratfucking that can happen (and likely did in WVA) when the GOP nominee is known early and conservative-leaning independents (or outright Republicans in open primaries) can vote to fuck with our primaries. (No way would half of independent Sanders supporters report a second choice of Trump otherwise.)

[Ash_F]

24. I disagree that it would hurt the Dems.

If the candidate is closer to the electorate, the party is more likely to win.

Have you looked at how Sanders' policies compare to Clinton's when Americans are polled? He is closer on almost everything.

Minimum wage
Single payer
public tuition

The only area where Clinton is with the majority is death penalty. That will change eventually and Sanders will be on the right side of history, like with segregation.

[moriah]

30. It's which electorate, in my eyes. We have to pivot to center enough in the GE.

This time it was a very liberal candidate second -- Trump's message can't resonate well with any Bernie supporter who actually believes in his principles, which is why I can't believe the WVa exit poll results about alleged intent to cross over in the GE can be explained even by the tendency of some people in Conservative states to register or vote in the Democratic primaries because of local party politics but vote Republican in the GE.

But last time, in 2008, the ratfucking was done by voting for Hillary to make it harder for Obama to win. For people who believed Obama was more progressive, it definitely smelled bad. And I expect, honestly, after this point that we won't be choosing our most moderate candidate as our top choice. By 2020 or 2024, even more people will be of voting age and wanting to see a more liberal Democratic Party.

My roommate is a more liberal person claiming to be "Libertarian", and he voted for Bernie in our open primary because of "outsider" status. But even he's not voting for Trump -- Gary Johnson is getting his, and since the Super Tuesday vote was the first time he ever voted Democratic in any election unless it was one of his "anti-incumbent" votes when no third party was on the ballot, while I would have loved to have his vote in November he's not a new voter nor is he a traditionally Democratic voter. Because there was still an active GOP race, we ended up with expected results (Clinton and Cruz in each primary -- yes, I'm from Arkansas).

I truly hate how our election system makes a person feel like it's in their best interest to vote strategically against their conscience -- whether it's the fact instant runoff isn't implemented at the Federal level making people feel like they have to vote for the lesser of two evils for their vote to matter, where with IRV they could vote their conscience, not throw their vote away because it would still count for its second choice vote, and their first choice numbers could send parties a STRONG message. Crossover voting in primaries is another way people can vote strategically after their party has a declared nominee, and it's far more distasteful.

[TexasTowelie]

106. Did the survey ask

whether you prefer chocolate or liver?

It's natural that people are going to say they want everything to be given to them without paying a price. Who in their right minds would say that they want to be paid less for their work? Personally, I'd love to go back to college again and not be concerned about actually maintaining a grade point average or receive a degree. Having my medical care taken care of by the government would be a godsend. The poll is worthless though and I'd rather have chocolate.

[Cali_Democrat]

12. Good. nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

27. Yup. The fewer the votes the better.

[Cali_Democrat]

29. Democrats should decide who the Democratic nominee will be. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

61. You don't seem to know who those voters are. Sad.

Around 50,000 unregistered persons got automatically registered via our new automatic registration law. About 25% of them joined a Party in time for this Primary, 80% of them joined the Democratic Party. That's about 10,000 new Democrats and about 2,000 new Republicans. All of them were previously non voters.

A more interesting statistic is the fact that three times more voters changed or joined a Party during this cycle than did so during 2008. That's counting among active registered voters, not the group of newly auto-registered voters. The vast majority are changing to the Democratic Party.

[Eric J in MN]

14. Open primaries are simpler and more inclusive. NT

NT

[GulfCoast66]

19. And so much easier

For those who like attending big rallies but really do not pay much attention to their civic responsibilities.

Democrats should pick the Democratic Party Candidate.

[Eric J in MN]

21. People in NY state were barred from

...joining the Democratic Party for six months before the primary.

Thurgood Marshall considered long bans on joining parties to be unconstitutional.

[GulfCoast66]

35. Here

We are in agreement. But no way will I support an independent choosing our parties candidate.

[Demsrule86]

91. Open primaries

allow the other side to choose (mischief what happened inWVA) your nominee...no way no how...you want to vote in the Dem party ...become Dem.

[Skwmom]

20. That is a game intended to keep people from voting.

[leftynyc]

62. A game?

Expecting people who were already hand held into registering to vote to pick a freeking party if they wish to vote in a primary? Should we buy them stamps also? I mean, just how much laziness should we expect and put up with?

[Land of Enchantment]

102. What you all fail to realize is that Independents' tax dollars pay for the elections too and

it is likely unconstitutional to not allow them to vote. Are you willing to refund their tax dollars to pay for the parties' effed up primaries?

[leftynyc]

103. Then take it to the supreme court

who will tell you the primaries are run by the parties. If Bernie wanted to run an Independent Party primary, he should have. The rules have been the same since 1986 - but it's everyone else's fault that you guys just started to pay attention. Yeah - the court will be real sympathetic to that.

[basselope]

22. Gotta love voter suppression.

Let's keep those voters from expressing their opinions.

[SFnomad]

25. It's amazing how many people don't have a clue what voter suppression is ...

Not registering as a Democrat or a Republican and as a result not being able to vote in a closed primary, isn't voter suppression.

[basselope]

31. Sorry, but yes it is.

Voter suppression is a strategy to influence the outcome of an election by discouraging or preventing people from exercising the right to vote. https://www.google.com/#q=voter+suppression+definition

Forcing a 2 step process on people and then CLOSING the primary to only the people who bother with nonsensical step two is preventing people from exercising the right to vote.

If the parties had any courage at all, all primaries would be open primaries.

But.. the candidates are too fragile to withstand such horrors.

[SFnomad]

32. Requiring someone to register as a Democrat is NOT preventing people

from exercising their right to vote. Oregon is one of the few places that has a two step process ... but they send you the paperwork ... it's not like you have to go looking under a rock somewhere for it.

Where I live now, they had an open primary. When I went voting, I was speaking with a woman in line and it was clear she was a Republican (she mentioned how her daughter was a Sanders support and how her vote would cancel her daughter's out). When we got to the front of the line, she requested a Democratic ballot ... to me, that's bullshit and one of the reasons why we shouldn't have open primaries.

[basselope]

36. Yes, it is preventing people.

And your anecdotal story are the same ones they use to pass voter ID laws.

[bigtree]

44. it's called the right to associate

...with who we choose.

It's a principle which has been upheld in courts.

[basselope]

57. religions assiciate all the time

[LuvLoogie]

33. Are you a registered Democrat? Why don't you want to join the Democratic Party?

What do you have against Democratic solidarity. The general election is open. The Democratic primary is for Democrats choosing their party candidate.

Are you going to let me walk in off the street and tell you and your family what were having for dinner? Hey everybody has to eat, no?

[basselope]

38. I look at parties the same way I look at religion.

I think blind faith to ANYTHING is moronic.

The primaries SHOULD be an open process for finding the two best candidates and not closed off to those of us who do not wish to wish to pick a religion, oh wait, I mean "party".

Just to avoid confusion I registered democrat and will be switching it the day after I vote for Sanders in the primary.

No, I do not wish to be a part of the democratic party, because it has become a party of corporate interests, of war, of incrementalism.. a party without real goals.

I just want the best person in the job. I don't care what letter they have next to their name.

To me, it is a real shame that Bernie had to join this party to run.. but it is currently the way of things.. I hope not for long.

[LuvLoogie]

39. I can support you changing back after your vote. I appreciate your having registered as a Democrat

given that Bernie is running as a Democrat. His running as a Democrat gives credence to his candidacy that he would not have had running as an Independent. It gave him access to the Democratic Party infrastructure and a high level platform for his views.

A party is not a religion. It is an organization of like-minded individuals seeking to come to consensus on a strategy to achieve a set of goals in law and policy. It is a collective that seeks to instill a civil society that is responsive to a given vision--locally and nationally, in the here-and-now and the future.

[basselope]

40. The problem is the vision is distorted.

That's why I view it like religion.

I would never vote for Hillary Clinton. She is everything I despise about politics. I didn't vote for Bill Clinton, John Kerry or Barack Obama for all the same reasons. In their wake I see a long history of principles being compromised for either votes, expediency or just so they can look tough (ie, John Kerry's vote for the Iraq War). I originally thought Clinton's Iraq vote was the same until she repeated the action in Libya.. now I know she just doesn't stand for the same principles for which I do.

So.. here's the problem. The party is a religion so long as I am being asked to support, vote for or take any action on behalf of people I truly believe will do harm to this country and that is what I am ultimately being asked to do.

I think the country is worse off because of Bill Clinton and worse off because of Barack Obama... Now, we can play the game of well, isn't it better off than it would have been under McCain or Romney, but this is like comparing two religions.. they're likely both bad, but one is a little worse than the other.

Bill Clinton gave us welfare reform, the end of glass steagal, the telecommunications act of 1996, DOMA and so many other problems it would take me all day to list the things that he did that haunt us till this day and contributed to the 2008 financial meltdown. He was the one who uttered the words "The era of big government is over" giving credence to the concept that government is a big bloated monster that can't get things done. Having worked as an entrepreneur for nearly 1/2 of my life I know that is BS... big business is where ideas go to die.

Obama has given us the ACA which has actually set BACK our health care debate in a major way, because it ceded the main argument.. it vests the power in the insurance companies... reinforcing the myth that private companies can offer better health insurance. No public option (which we could have had via reconciliation). Obama made most of the bush tax cuts permanent. Half of the stimulus package was tax breaks... he reinforced the concept that tax cuts for the wealthy.. the "job creators" actually boosts the economy.. when that is such friggen nonsense. Now he is giving us the TPP.

SO much like religion.. which is an organization of like minded individuals seeking to come to a consensus on a strategy to achieve a set of goals in life.. ultimately, you are asked to swallow the whole thing on faith. "Vote for me because the letter next to my name is all you need to know"

Sorry.. but no thanks.

[George II]

127. So, you don't want to enroll in a party but you want those who don't enroll....

...to participate in choosing the candidate of that party?

Can you please explain the rationale behind that?

[basselope]

129. B/c parties are currently a necessary evil.

I believe MOST people realize that. The "parties" do more harm than good, as they attempt to force people to abandon their principles in the name of "unity" or just #winning.

The plurality do not join the parties anymore, but remain independent.

It is past time for one of the parties to realize that and instead of trying to find a candidate who appeals only to a minority of the population, find one who has wider appeal and test their values, instead of hiding in a bubble.

They need to choose a direction instead of this current mess of a system (and I am talking about the nominating process). Either close it off completely and go with ALL CAUCUSES (something I wouldn't want, b/c I feel it disenfranchises too many people) OR open yourselves up to reality and go with ALL OPEN PRIMARIES. The ungrounded fears of operation chaos are similar to those of the "in person voter fraud". The sinister crossover voter intentionally screwing with the process just doesn't happen that often and even when it does, the %'s are so small they don't impact the outcome.

The only thing a political party currently provides that is of real value is access to the ballots in all 50 states.

[George II]

130. Why not join, or start Plurality Underground or Independent Underground? I am open to reality....

....and don't feel that anyone other than Democrats should choose our candidates or make our rules.

Do you advocate allowing the Board of Directors of Major League Baseball to establish rules for the National Football League? Or members of the Baptist religion establish rules for the Catholic Church?

[basselope]

131. MLB and NFL have no say over MY country.

Just their own organizations.

The problem is that the it is likely someone from one of the major parties will be in charge and b/c of party rules we have the two worst possible choices I can imagine.

[wildeyed]

46. It is a ONE STEP process.

Because the voter registration is AUTOMATIC. DMV should give folks the option of picking a party when they get their license, but they already said they would look into that. Still sucks that people who do not drive are not registered automatically, but that is much harder to administer.

If I understand correctly, all you have to do to participate in a primary is go ONLINE and change your party preference AND the state sent out reminders before the deadline. This is not hard, people.

From the article: A proposal to create an open primary went before Oregon voters in 2014, and was rejected by two-thirds of voters.

Holy crap, this is not voter suppression. It what the VOTERS of OR decided THEY wanted, not the parties or the officials. Voter ID is voter suppression because it targets young, poor and communities of color disproportionately.

[basselope]

59. Its voter suppression

Thats the impact.. but i guess some people like it that way.

[leftynyc]

63. The VOTERS

in OR disagree with you. They VOTED on open primaries and rejected it. That's Democracy.

[basselope]

64. Not really.

But, keep telling yourself that.

[leftynyc]

66. I see you're

firmly in the denial stage. Carry on.

[basselope]

67. I see you're

firmly in the denial stage. Carry on.

[leftynyc]

69. How adorable

I haven't seen the "I know you are but what am I" crap since the 5th grade. Thanks for the memories.

[basselope]

70. The phrase fit.

You are in complete denial that people are being denied their right to vote.

And you're happy about it.

Very sad.

[wildeyed]

79. So the voters are suppressing themselves?

It was a BALLOT measure. The voters WANTED closed primaries, and by a pretty huge margin.

[basselope]

87. No.

The democratic party is.

[wildeyed]

105. How?

[basselope]

109. By not allowing people to vote.

[wildeyed]

110. How is the DNC not allowing people to vote in Oregon?

The primaries are closed because the people voted to keep them that way. The DNC did not make that rule.

People who did not declare a party preference by the deadline cannot vote in the primary, but the DNC did not stop them from doing that.

So how?

[basselope]

111. The votes have nothing to do with party rules, it is statewide elections.

In California we voted to have open primaries, but the democratic primary is still closed.

The democrats COULD have allowed those who had not declared a party to vote in democratic party, but chose not to.. thus, they are stopping them from voting.

This isn't that hard to follow.

[wildeyed]

112. Then that would be the state party, not the DNC.

But it is not clear to me that Oregon law would even ALLOW the Democratic Party to have an open primary. In some states, the party can choose, others they cannot.

Anyway, since you are the one making the claim, can you provide a link that says where the DNC or even the state party mandated the closed system in Oregon? Because it looks like it is a state law to me. And if the state could mandate an open primary in OR, then they can ALSO mandate a closed one. They were prepared to REQUIRE both the Dem and Rep parties to hold open primaries. Why could they not also REQUIRE a closed primary?

And Oregon voters decided they want a closed primary, so not sure why you think the Democratic Party should violate that mandate even if they could.

For what it is worth, I probably would have voted for the open primary, if I lived in Oregon. But the people who live there made their decision, and pretty decisively.

[basselope]

113. It would allow it.

And the state party makes the rules.

The vote in the statewide election has no impact.

[wildeyed]

114. Link?

And you said DNC at first. Now you change?

[basselope]

115. Link to what?

The DNC influences the state party. Duh.

[wildeyed]

116. That the STATE would allow the party to decide on open or closed.

I have verified that some states do NOT allow the political parties to decide whether the primary is open or closed.

It appears that Oregon does NOT allow the party to decide because there was a BALLOT MEASURE to make them open.

If the state can require and open primary, then stands to reason that they can ALSO require a closed primary.

YOU made the initial claim that the DNC was suppressing the Oregon vote. And now you need to show your proof.

Duh Come on! Get with the program. Link or you lose. And we KNOW you were wrong about the DNC part already.

[basselope]

119. Incorrect.

Not quite sure what you want a link to?

You seem to be confusing the state with the party.

And no, sorry, but not wrong about the DNC part.

Not sure what you are smoking.

[wildeyed]

120. Bzzzttt....

You lose. Cannot back up a single bit of the smack you were talking. Not an iota of fact.

I'm out.....

[basselope]

121. Whatever...

Still not sure what you want a "link" to.

But I guess people make up all kindsa stuff to justify themselves.

[MFM008]

26. If you cant properly register

as a DEMOCRAT , by the correct date, place and time then drawing a line in an arrow or marking a BOX
may be to high in the skills department for you.

[cherokeeprogressive]

28. Because that's all a Democrat is... a line in an arrow or a marked box.

Amiright?

[LuvLoogie]

34. Anyone is welcome to register as a Democrat according to the rules of their state's

Board of Elections. There are no Political Thought Police. Everyone, regardless of affilliation, is free to vote in the general for the ACTUAL OFFICE. You want a say in who a given party candidate is, JOIN THE PARTY.

No political day traders. No hedgers.

[bjo59]

42. Wow. Didn't know that. What is the point with all the byzantine ways people register around

the country? In Texas when you register, you do not choose a party at the time either. You become affiliated with the party whose primary you choose to vote in on the day. After that you are affiliated with that party for 2 years. I'm surprised a state like Oregon would have a method by which you have to do an extra step by a cut off date weeks before the election. California's system is byzantine as well. Yes "unaffiliated" voters can vote in the Democratic primary; however, they have to ask for a special ballot when they get there because the ballot they will be handed will not have the Democratic candidate's name on it. I guess the main idea in general is that the fewer the voters the better for those who wield power in perpetuity. The rest of it is the farcical nature of bureaucracy.

[Bluenorthwest]

56. You misunderstand Oregon's new automatic registratoin law. This cycle, a new law caused previously

non registered citizens to be automatically registered to vote. The people who were registered automatically needed to take one step to affiliate with a Party if they wanted to do that. Those who did so were not taking an 'extra step' they were in fact taking the first self motivated step in the process. They did not even have to take the step of registering to vote. Of those who were automatically registered, 25% did join a Party in time for this Primary. Of that 25%, 80% became Democrats.

Oregon elections take place by mail, so the 'election day' is just the last day of the election. We got our ballots two weeks ago.

Oregon's system could not be easier. There are no extra steps, there are in fact few steps than in any State of the Union.

[wildeyed]

80. We agree about this.

How secure is vote by mail? Absentee has been abused in other parts of the country.

[Karmadillo]

50. Excellent! The more people we can keep from voting, the better Hillary can do.

If we can just figure out a way to keep the general election closed, we have a clear path to the White House.

[leftynyc]

65. Rigged?

Asking people who have been AUTOMATICALLY registered to vote to go online and pick a party? Just how much laziness should we have to put up with?

[firebrand80]

54. Bernie will probably win OR

But the polls are close, so let's get the "cheating" excuse ready ahead of time, just in case.

[Warren DeMontague]

107. And When Sanders wins, what will the Hill Folk's excuse be?

Ha, we already know- it's full of white people and doesnt matter...Next!

[wildeyed]

117. That she still has 3 million more votes

than Bernie Sanders, give or take?

[Warren DeMontague]

122. That's not an excuse for her losing Oregon.

Which she just did.

[wildeyed]

123. It was assumed until the last week that Sanders would win Oregon.

At least I did. It would have been fully humiliating for him to lose there. And, as you know, the delegates are assigned proportionately. So although "winning" is great for bragging rights, but doesn't change the delegate math much at this point.

[Warren DeMontague]

124. He still won Oregon.

[wildeyed]

125. Congratulations.

[Warren DeMontague]

126. Thanks!

[bunchofpenguins]

71. The only thing worse than the outright fraud and criminality of the DNC

Is how many supposed liberals are supporting and cheering it along.

I was under the impression that the Democratic Party stood for democratic principles and inclusion.

I guess not; they don't want anything to get in the way of the coronation.

[wildeyed]

82. What are you even talking about?

The DNC has NOTHING to do with ANY of this. OR made a law to AUTOMATICALLY register all its citizens, which is an amazing, pro-democracy thing to do.

Let's all take a moment and do a BIG CLAP for Oregon and the activist ho made it possible. Because that rocks.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

A few newly and automatically registered individuals missed a deadline to indicate which party they preferred, despite a reminder for the state. Those people, who would not be registered AT ALL if Oregon hadn't done it for them automatically, cannot vote in a party primary.

The closed primary system was put to a vote as a BALLOT MEASURE and the citizens of Oregon RESOUNDINGLY voted to keep them closed.

There was ZERO DNC involvement in any of this. The people of the state CHOSE to have closed primaries.

So what on earth are you making these accusations about?

[anotherproletariat]

88. So, in your world "rules" = "fraud"? nt

[WhiteTara]

81. I wonder how many will vote in local elections

if they can't vote in the primary. Since so many people have just for the first time involved themselves in the primary process, I somehow doubt they vote in the locals, either.

[Iliyah]

101. Probably most of them won't vote down ticket

[ViseGrip]

118. the "poor little darlings" just won, Bernie just won Oregon!

Why is there still a flame burning here?