Independents gaining ground in New Mexico voter registration

[Judi Lynn]

Independents gaining ground in New Mexico voter registration
(12 comments; last comment posted Today 12:58 pm)

BARRY MASSEY | Associated Press
September 27, 2004

SANTA FE - For the first time in history, more than 1 million New Mexicans are registered to vote, but the trend in voter registration doesn't favor Democrats or Republicans.

Since the presidential election four years ago, the number of registered voters has grown by 6 percent and the eligible voter total will climb even higher before registration closes in about two weeks.

Independent voters _ those who choose not to affiliate with a political party _ have grown faster than any other segment of the electorate since the 2000 general election when Democrat Al Gore carried the state by 366 votes over George Bush.

"We're seeing both Democrats and Republicans lose out to independents," says Brian Sanderoff, an Albuquerque pollster and demographer.The growth rate of unaffiliated voters helps explain why New Mexico is a tossup state in this presidential election.

"The implication is that there will be more swing voters," says Sanderoff, "because who is more persuadable or potentially undecided than someone who refuses to declare a party affiliation."
(snip/...)

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/4754.html
(Free registration required)

[TheFarseer]

1. I'm actually registered independent and here's why

I registered with "motor voter" and was too lazy to do anything to get affiliated with a party. I suspect this is the case for most of the new independents.

[Lexingtonian]

2. there's an easy explanation

They're mostly young voters and don't fully understand the Parties yet for what they are. Realizing this, Independent is an easier choice to make than either Party.

"The implication is that there will be more swing voters." I'd say there will be more voters who listen to both sides this election, to the extent they can bear to. Most of them are walking in intent on voting for one side and are not as persuadable by the other as this fellow Sanderoff thinks they are.

[Zorra]

3. I agree. IMO, people are registering to vote because they hate Bu$h.

They realize that Bu$h is destroying the country, and are realizing, maybe for the first time in their lives, how important their vote is this year. Bu$h has scared them into voting against him, and voting against Bu$h does not mean they have to join a party.

[Green Lantern]

4. Another expert--

Why don't these people ask independents just why they are not affiliated? These experts have little or no idea, and will likely be very surprised.

My brother always -said an expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until he/she knows absolutely everything about nothing.

[Roy]

5. Or maybe they did ask.....

and the answers were not favorable to Bush, therefore not newsworthy.

[Green Lantern]

6. This could well

be the answer.

[4_Legs_Good]

7. I'm Peace and Freedom, my dad who's 100% Mexican American is La Raza Unida

La Raza Unida usually endorses the Democratic candidate. PFP usually nominates it's own. This year it's Leonard Peltier, who, if he wins, can serve his term while he serves his time!

david