On The GOP Primaries

Understanding the primaries may be a bit difficult for some. The primaries used to be put on and paid for by the different parties and in some states that is still true. But now, most states pay for the primaries to be held.


You can't vote for the local Sheriff in the Democratic primary and the County Judge in the Republican primary. When you go to vote you are either registered as one party or the other . . . or Independent, Green, Libertarian or one of the many other parties or in some states, there is no party registration and they will ask you what ballot you want. Arkansas, where I live, is one of those states. In states where they have open Primaries you can vote in any political party and I'll explain how that may be good for everyone.


In an open primary, even though you may be a registered Republican you can vote in a Democratic primary. The Republicans did that in South Carolina in 2010 and a fellow the Republicans paid money to in order to run him against Jim DeMint was put on the ballot. His name was Alvin Greene. The Republicans voted, in mass, in the Democratic primary for Alvin Greene who defeated the guy that could have defeated DeMint. Greene became the nominee but he was retarded and couldn't even make a speech. So Jim DeMint beat Greene in the General election 63% to 19% with 8% going to another candidate and 10% undecided.


I'll attempt to fill you in on the upcoming Primaries state by state. This is Feb. 19, 2012 and the next GOP Primary will be on Feb. 28.


February 28, 2012:
1. Arizona has a closed primary system and to get a ballot you must be a registered party voter.


2. Michigan is an open primary state so that Democrats can vote in the Republican primary but then you have to vote only in the Republican primary, no cross voting.

March 3, 2012:
1. Washington has a system that is similar to the California system of "Top Two." The top two vote getters have to run against each other.


March 6, 2010, "Super Tuesday":
1. Alaska Republicans have a closed CAUCUS system and you must be a registered Republican for 30 days to participate.


2. Idaho Republicans have a closed CAUCUS system.


3. Georgia has a semi-closed PRIMARY system; you must be registered in the party to vote.


4. Massachusetts has a semi-closed PRIMARY system.


5. North Dakota has a closed CAUCUS system.


6. Ohio has a closed PRIMARY system but there is no party registration and a voter can be challenged as not being affiliated. (I'm not sure what this means. If you live in Ohio, let me know)


7. Oklahoma has a closed PRIMARY system.


8. Tennessee has a closed PRIMARY system but you can change parties on the day of election then back the next day.


9. Vermont has an open PRIMARY system.


10. Virginia has an open PRIMARY system but the Republicans in Vermont require you sign a "Loyalty Oath" to the Republicans.


March 6-10, 2012:
1. Wyoming has a closed CAUCUS system but you can change party affiliation any day.

March 10, 2012:
1. Kansas has a closed PRIMARY system but allows "unaffiliated" voters to participate.


March 13, 2012:
1. Alabama has an open PRIMARY system. Anyone can vote on any ballot.


2. Hawaii has an open CAUCUS system with not party affiliation.


3. Mississippi has an open PRIMARY system, but you must support the nominee? (Not sure how that is enforced)


I'll have information on the rest of the primaries in the next post.