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2016 Postmortem

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Blue Meany

(1,947 posts)
Sat Apr 23, 2016, 12:23 PM Apr 2016

Why closed primaries are undemocratic [View all]

The number delegates allotted to a state in the Democratic Party is not based on the number of Democrats or the number of Democratic voters. They are based on:

(a) sum of the vote for the Democratic presidential ticket in the state in the three most recent presidential elections relative to the national Democratic vote in the three most recent elections and;

(b) state electoral vote relative to national electoral vote.

These are weighted equally, so the the number of Democratic delegates per state is based on the overall population of the state, and the number of persons who voted for the Democratic candidate for President. Both of these categories include people across the political spectrum--not just Democrats. For this reason, the votes in closed primaries are weighted more heavily than those that are cast in primaries open to members of all parties and to unaffiliated voters.

This can be added to caucuses and super-delegates as undemocratic aspects of the primary system in need of reform.

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I do not care. I want to elect a Democratic candidate. Lol. Seriously? I WANT the decks STACKED seabeyond Apr 2016 #1
The whole system is undemocratic. Bad Dog Apr 2016 #2
...which has nothing to do with the Primary process brooklynite Apr 2016 #21
Really? Bad Dog Apr 2016 #22
Primary elections are the decision of a Party and its members... brooklynite Apr 2016 #37
There's no reason why OMOV can't apply to choosing a presidential candidate. Bad Dog Apr 2016 #41
Been this way for decades and it's only an issue to those who beachbumbob Apr 2016 #3
We aren't a democracy. We're a republic. Makes a difference about your complaint. CrowCityDem Apr 2016 #4
There is a good reason for closed primaries KingFlorez Apr 2016 #5
Closed primaries. Dem voters should decide Dem nominee. JaneyVee Apr 2016 #6
Yep. Stuckinthebush Apr 2016 #9
Ame. n/t MBS Apr 2016 #35
It's democratic to Members of the Democratic party. NobodyHere Apr 2016 #7
It sounds like you are arguing to allow Republicans to vote in Democratic primaries LonePirate Apr 2016 #8
Either open them or distribute them according to the number of registered Democrats n/t Blue Meany Apr 2016 #10
22 states have no party registration. Eric J in MN Apr 2016 #15
I been voting in open primary Indiana for years without any problems. B Calm Apr 2016 #24
I don't want non- union members voting in those elections OKNancy Apr 2016 #11
That would be great limiting primary voters only to union members. Only B Calm Apr 2016 #25
There are people who work and toil within the party for years Tarc Apr 2016 #12
Your missing the point... Blue Meany Apr 2016 #13
"You're" Tarc Apr 2016 #14
Do you support NY state's 6 month freeze on party-switching before the primaries? NT Eric J in MN Apr 2016 #17
Yes, as it minimizes cross-party tomfoolery Tarc Apr 2016 #18
It also minimizes the number of people who join the Democratic Party in an election year. NT Eric J in MN Apr 2016 #19
If those people cannot read and follow simple rules to register by a certain date Tarc Apr 2016 #20
Show evidence of such 'tomfoolery'. It's like Republicans shouting about voter fraud and demanding Bluenorthwest Apr 2016 #34
Call the waaaaaambulance ... stat! n/t SFnomad Apr 2016 #16
A closed primary is limiting political freedom, and is right wing authoritarian. B Calm Apr 2016 #23
Correct. What is missing from closed primaries, is the will of the people. -none Apr 2016 #38
This message was self-deleted by its author rjsquirrel Apr 2016 #26
Why the DNC keeps getting away with cramming shitty candidates down our throats. B Calm Apr 2016 #27
This message was self-deleted by its author rjsquirrel Apr 2016 #28
I prefer to stay for spite! B Calm Apr 2016 #29
This message was self-deleted by its author rjsquirrel Apr 2016 #30
I prefer to change rules to the better and grow the democratic base. You B Calm Apr 2016 #31
This message was self-deleted by its author rjsquirrel Apr 2016 #32
If you are a true democrat you would be concerned about B Calm Apr 2016 #33
Unfortunately open primaries let Republicans mess up our elections scepticism Apr 2016 #36
and democrats can mess up their elections. The truth is B Calm Apr 2016 #42
And closed primaries ignore the votes of small i independents. marble falls Apr 2016 #43
Ok, yes, & let's consider which TYPE (open, closed, etc.) of primary would be ideal. metamorphosis Apr 2016 #39
However it is done, each vote should be equal Blue Meany Apr 2016 #40
Open primaries are ripe for manipulation, though. Garrett78 Apr 2016 #44
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