Should Open Primaries be permitted

[Salty]

There is no uniform position for primaries in the US for President.

On one hand, you can say that is permitted under the Constitution by the Tenth Amendment.

On the other hand, since we are electing a National President, shouldn't all primaries be similar? In essence that would come under the heading of "one man - one vote"

Note: the question about closed primaries pertains to members of a political party. That is Open = anybody may vote in a party primary; Closed = Only members of a certain party may vote in that primary.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

As primaries are for the parties to choose one of their own, I believe they should be closed to outsiders. The time to cross over is during the general election.

 

[bobbyd]

i'm in favor of closed primaries...i see no reason to vote in the opposing party's primary, and it should be the same for my party.

 

[carpro]

As primaries are for the parties to choose one of their own, I believe they should be closed to outsiders. The time to cross over is during the general election.

Most states would be about like New Hampshire.

Registered Independents, who would number 40-50 % of voters, whether they are really independent or just keeping their options open, would still be the crossover crowd.

Most of them are not really independent and have strong to very strong leanings toward one party or the other.

 

[just-want-peace]

i'm in favor of closed primaries...i see no reason to vote in the opposing party's primary, and it should be the same for my party.

As long as your party has a candidate you like, I agree.

However in this election, were there a "Zell Miller" running on the D ticket I would like to have the option of voting for him , since none of the Rs do squat for me.

As a general rule, though, I would opt for "closed".

I'm also in favor of same day primaries if for no other reason to get rid of all the prolonged mailings, TV ads, and phone calls.

I do think same day would give the 3rd party a better opportunity by not being relegated to the back-burner from previous state's results.