Got my absentee ballot request form today......

[max power]

It asks me to select only one ballot type.

I've never aligned myself with one party or another and I wondered why it wants me to choose a party.

Here are the choices:

Constitution

Libertarian

Ballot Questions & Issues Only

Democratic

Republican

Green

Socialist

It got me doing some basic research and I think my beliefs and views on government are more in line with the Constitution party than any of the others. Not sure about where I stand on the whole abortion thing (dont think people should be pumping out children they dont want and cant support) and I dont really have a problem with porn , but otherwise, I'm liking what I have read in their party platform

http://www.constitutionparty.com/party_platform.php

Any non-socialist and non-retarded opinions are appreciated as I try to make my gubment forced choice.

[fusion]

I thought there was an other, I don't remember. The Constitution Party though is basically a cover for a group that would love to institute a theocracy.

[Likwid]

There's no option for undeclared or individual? That's how I declared when I registered.

[max power]

There's no option for undeclared or individual? That's how I declared when I registered.

Ballot Questions & Issues Only would be the only undeclared option I guess. I'm just curious what is different about the party ballots.

[magley64]

party ballots allow you to vote in respective primaries. that's the only difference I'm aware of.

[Tonik]

I've never aligned myself with one party or another and I wondered why it wants me to choose a party.

This is for a primary....so the first step in a primary is for each party to narrow down their candidates to one. If you are going to help narrow down the Republicans FOR EXAMPLE then yes you must declare yourself a Republican. If you are going to help choose the Republican candidate to run in the fall general election than you must say you are a republican and for this election vote. You can switch later if you want.

If you don't want to declare a party then you choose: "Ballot Questions & Issues Only". That lets you vote on the issues and not vote on any party candidates.

[max power]

This is for a primary....so the first step in a primary is for each party to narrow down their candidates to one. If you are going to help narrow down the Republicans FOR EXAMPLE then yes you must declare yourself a Republican. If you are going to help choose the Republican candidate to run in the fall general election than you must say you are a republican and for this election vote. You can switch later if you want.

If you don't want to declare a party then you choose: "Ballot Questions & Issues Only". That lets you vote on the issues and not vote on any party candidates.

Right, but it got me thinking, maybe I should finally choose a side. The only problem is that I have issues with every party out there. I read some platforms today and like what the Constitution Party stands for on government, immigration and 2nd amendment issues.

[John]

voter apathy party.

[Tonik]

Right, but it got me thinking, maybe I should finally choose a side.

Oh, I misunderstood.

My advice is don't choose party because at one time or another they all suck. Actually I am of the opinion they all suck all the time, just sometimes one of them sucks less. You have to vote your conscience and what the more important issue of the day is. I will use abortion as an example because it is easy to define. Lets say you are pro-abortion and that is a major issue for you. In 2008 you would have wanted to support a Dem for President because there are several liberal Supreme's that are going to retire soon. If you support a Repub he will appoint conservative Supreme's and that will tip the balance of the court enough that abortion might become harder to get or become illegal. JUST AN EXAMPLE EVERYONE SPARE ME THE ABORTION DEBATE, TIA.

Then in the primaries just flip around, you see someone you really like in a particular race then jump parties and support them in the primary to try and get them to the general election. I did that in the last Presidential election, I flipped from Repub to Dem so I could vote for Hillary. Out of McCain, Obama and Hillary I felt she was the best choice. I still believe that.

Edited March 22, 2010 by Tonik

[Strictly Street]

May 4th 2010 is a special election and also a partisan primary.

"Questions and Issues Only" is the choice of no party.

Parties may only vote for their own candidates.

If you pick a party that has no candidate you will get the Q&A only.

Straight off the little card that came with it.

[Likwid]

Threadjack!

The reason for declaring party for voting in primaries was to prevent droves of folks voting for a candidate they knew wouldn't win to swing the vote to the incumbent.

Next primary all the Dems could vote for the worst Republican candidate knowing they could never win and thus "guarantee" a win for the current president.

[Tonik]

Threadjack!

The reason for declaring party for voting in primaries....

Not really a threadjack. Pertinent to the thread and true information.

[Likwid]

Not really a threadjack. Pertinent to the thread and true information.

lol, I was referring to Pauly