Will Sanders have to register as a Democrat to run in N.H.? Probably

[Agnosticsherbet]

Will Sanders have to register as a Democrat to run in N.H.? Probably
But a few days later, neither Sanders nor the state’s Democratic Party seem too worried about that obstacle. Asked yesterday morning whether he’s given any thought as to how to deal with New Hampshire’s rules, Sanders didn’t explicitly say he would register as a Democrat when asked – but he said, confidently, “We’re going to fulfill all of the rules.”

“I made the decision that the best way to be effective as a campaign, the best way to win is to do it through the Democratic primary process,” Sanders said, before leaving a house party that attracted close to 100 supporters in Manchester. “We will meet all of the requirements of all of the states, including New Hampshire. We will fulfill all of the requirements.”

When a reporter asked again, to clarify whether he would register as a Democrat, Sanders responded, “We’ll do what we have to do.”

“We’re going to be on the ballot in 50 states,” Sanders added. “You don’t win unless you do that.”

This should lay to rest any concern that Sanders will be locked out of running in some states.

[TM99]

1. Thank you for posting this.

Only the disingenuous continue to suggest that Sanders is an Independent, a third-party runner, not a Democratic challenger, etc. when the truth has been known since before he formally announced that he is running for President as a Democrat. He will do whatever is necessary in each state to make sure that he meets all requirements to do this.

[MiniMe]

2. Voter Registration is a state function

And Vermont doesn't have you register as a D or an R or an I. What did Howard Dean do?

[joshcryer]

4. Apparently he qualified.

So either the rule changed or they made an exception.

It's unlikely that any Democratic candidate would challenge Sanders right to run on the party's ticket, Gardner is known to be a stickler for rules. In a telephone interview on Wednesday, he read the form aloud and said he didn't see any wiggle room for presidential candidates who were technically not registered Democrats or Republicans.

But when reminded that Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor who sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, qualified for the New Hampshire ballot, even though he was also not a registered Democrat, Gardner paused for several moments. He said he would dig out Dean's paperwork from storage and check.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/30/politics/bernie-sanders-new-hampshire-democrats/

If Gardner sticks with the rules it'd be a bad move, just make the necessary rule changes.

[Agnosticsherbet]

10. Below is a link to Vermont election law.

https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/406433/ElectionLawBook12-11.pdf

Paragraph 2702 of the PDF covers nominating petitions.

Vermont is not like New Hampshire, as they do not require the Candidate to be a member of the party in which he or she intends to run.

However, there are whole sections on the political parties, how they are organized, and what party they play in law and elections.


It specifically states that no person can vote for more than one party in a primary. People choose a party, and in Presidential Primary years, that party is recorded.

Dean, throughout his career as a politician affiliated with Democratic Party, as has Senator Leahy.

Democrats have tended to control the state since Kennedy. Before that, Vermont was a Republican Stronghold.

The argument about people not registering for parties is irrelevant. The Parties in Vermont know which elected officials are Democrats, Republicans, Progressives, or Independents. Sanders chose not to belong to the Democratic Party.

Now, if you read the article I posted, it states that Bernie will do what it takes to run in all 50 states. I suspect he will officially affiliate in the Democratic Party in states where it is required.

He is an intelligent man with a team that will figure out what is necessary.

[merrily]

3. He has great positions on almost every important issue.

Not focusing on voter registration.

I registered Democratic when I became old enough to vote. When we moved to Massachusetts, my husband, who's more of a Democrat than I am, made a convincing case for registering "unenrolled," so we both did. (In Massachusetts, registering unenrolled allows you to vote in any party's primary and I continued voting in Democratic primaries).

When Kerry lost to Dimson in 2004, I was so mad I marched myself to City Hall the next day to change my registration to Democratic.

At no time did how I was registered affect a single vote I cast.

I could care less if Sanders is registered as an Independent.

[TexasProgresive]

5. Why is this such an issue?

Lyndon LaRouche ran 7 times as the Democratic nominee for president. Anybody can run as a nominee for any party. I don't equate Sen. Sanders with a wackadoo like La Rouche. And how is he to register as a Democrat in a state that doesn't allow for it? Lyndon Johnson was not a "registered" Democrat but he was certainly a member of the party.

When I vote in the Democratic Party primary my registration card is then stamped with that info. This makes is so one can not vote in both primaries and enables one to vote in a runoff primary election if there is no clear winner.

[davidpdx]

6. Do you want the real answer or the polite one?

I mean I think you know why, but I can't help myself here.

Really it is all about some on DU calling Sanders nasty names and making false claims about those who support him and then those same people turning around and balling and crying because their candidate is criticized. It's called hypocrisy.

[TexasProgresive]

7. Thanks, david.

That's my take as well. I really don't have a dog in this hunt. but this registered Democrat thing just rubs me the wrong way. I may vote for Bernie just because of their stupidity. Well, we will see.

[davidpdx]

8. I haven't decided yet either

I know for sure that Webb is not an option. Sounds like O'Malley might be gearing up. At least there will be someone to "choose" from even though our party's nomination is starting to look like it will be over before it even started.

By this time in 2008 I'd already decided on a candidate.

[Agnosticsherbet]

9. The Constitution gives individual states the right to make election rules.

It isn't contemporary stupidity.

[TexasProgresive]

11. OK then, ignorance that not all states

are alike in their rules on voter registration, especially when it comes to registering as a particular party member.

[Agnosticsherbet]

12. Senator Leahy of Vermont is a Democrat. Dean of vermont was a Democrat.

Vermont's Legislature has 94 Democrats, 5 progressives, 3 independents, and 47 Republicans.

It is clear that in Vermont, registration and party membership are not the same.

Clearly, the Democrats in Vermont know who the Democrats are.

And, finally, read the article. Sander's said he would do what it takes to get in all 50 states.

If that means he has to be recognized as an official Democrat, I am sure he can manage that. He has a talented team.

[TexasProgresive]

13. From the link

There are some 22 states that do no have a provision for registering as a party member. How does a candidate for president meet the N.H. requirement to get on the ballot? For example how did Johnson, Bush 1 & 2 and Good Hair get on the ballot-did they purger themselves? If I understand this correctly no one from Texas can run in N.H.'s presidential primaries and from around 22 other states.

To get on a political party’s ballot in New Hampshire, presidential hopefuls have to file declarations of candidacy with the secretary of state’s office, in which they “swear under penalties of perjury” that they are qualified to run for president and “that I am a registered member of the __________ party.”

[Agnosticsherbet]

14. Thanks. That is perfect.

[former9thward]

15. And Obama.

IL has no party registration.