(South Carolina) Primary Voters Must Vow They Are Democrats

[kskiska]

Voters in Tuesday’s presidential primary must declare they are Democrats or they cannot vote.

That has observers predicting that some people will stay away, rather than committing to the Democratic Party — even for a day.

Voters who appear at their polling places will be asked to sign an oath swearing that “I consider myself to be a Democrat” before casting their ballots.

If they don’t sign, they can’t vote.

Democrats say they don’t want to keep independents away, but they do hope to deter Republicans from voting in the primary and interfering with the results.

The pledge is legal because the Democratic Party — not the state Election Commission — runs and pays for the presidential primary, said Donna Royson, deputy executive director of the Election Commission. South Carolina requires only that voters declare they have participated in just one party’s primary.

more…
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/7847556.htm

[Bruce McAuley]

1. Washington Democrats must sign in too

They have to declare they are Democrats or Independents with Democratic leanings. Other people may attend, but they may not vote.
Not quite an "oath", just a declaration, but Washington voters haven't had to declare they were affiliated with a party before since the Supreme Court declared our "blanket primary" illegal, which we've used since 1937 or so.
I don't know how it will affect turnout, Saturday will tell the tale.

Bruce

[no one in particular]

2. Won't matter much

Republicans won't be unified on a Democrat to vote for anyway.

They used to think they wanted Dean, now that doesn't look likely to happen. Some of them want Kerry, still others think he's the most dangerous.

Probably the only one they won't vote for is Edwards. I really believe he scares them the most.

[lcordero]

3. I have a lot of friends that belong to neither party

they would gag if they would have to call themselves Republicans or Democrats.

[vpigrad]

4. According to a local church...

they're doing that to keep the Sharpton supporters away. The hatred many of the local party members has for him is astounding. Some of the things said before last weeks debate made me wonder if this is 1904 instead of 2004.

[cheezus]

5. similar but more lax rules in ND

To participate in the ND caucuses you must have either voted for a democrat in the last election, or plan to vote for a democrat in the upcoming election.

For the GE, ND is the only state that does instant registration (in other words, no registration). You just show up at the polling place with a driver's license.

[eyesroll]

6. WI also allows same-day registration

but I guess it technically is registration in that you have to register (if you haven't already), then wait in another line to vote.

We also have completely open primaries -- everything's on one ballot, and you pick which section you want to fill out.

[cheezus]

7. we don't register at all

You seriously just wait in line to vote (never been more than 5 min for me) and before you get your ballot the precinct person will try to find your name and address on their voter list (often they don't even ask for id). If you're name isn't on the list they just write you in. sometimes don't ask for id. never have been asked to show proof of residence (mail or something). As a university student, I've voted at 3 different polling places in the last 5 years, and they never hassle me.

I think voter turnout is helped when you can go vote.

[arwalden]

8. Lester Maddox Keeps Coming To Mind...

where Republicans in GA thought it would be funny to diddle with the primary elections and vote for the Democrat that their incumbent governor would be most likely to defeat.

Didn't work they way they planned and the bigoted, separatist, segregationist Maddox became governor.

-- Allen

[Judi Lynn]

9. You might find this info. worth a long hard squint

After seeing your post, I decided to go see if I could find a photo of Lester Maddox, out of curiousity. I found some:


Lester Maddox brandishes a small pistol during an attempt to desegregate his Atlanta restaurant in July 1964.
AP
(Maddox riding the bicycle backwards,(groan))

(snip) ''The Maddox administration was a good one, marked by historic and progressive achievements,'' said U.S. Sen. Zell Miller, Maddox's former chief of staff. ''History will judge his administration well.'' (snip)

http://www.athensnewspapers.com/stories/062603/new_20030626070.shtml

Taken from the Athens Banner-Herald, from an article written, apparently to commemorate his life, on the news of his death.

I had NO IDEA Zell Miller had been his chief of staff. I guess that might explain some of the confusion normal people feel, trying to grapple with the question of why the hell Zell Miller doesn't seem to even remotely resemble a Democrat!

[benh57]

10. Er

You took that out of context.

" Maddox's conservatism on segregation led people to wrongly conclude he was conservative on other issues. Instead, he integrated the Georgia State Patrol, reformed state prisons and boosted spending on teacher salaries and higher education.
   He also appointed more blacks to advisory posts and commissions than all of his predecessors combined."

[Zhade]

11. Wow. Your sig line is so...condescending.

A trait I've NEVER seen in any "welcome to DU" posts.

[JoFerret]

12. How about buggering off then?

.

[Judi Lynn]

13. "More than all his predecessors combined?"

With his predecessors serving during the time BEFORE civil rights legislation? My, my!

On edit:

Welcome to DU.

[TeeYiYi]

14. WELCOME TO DU !!!! <|:-P . . . .

:grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :bounce:

TYY :hug:

[arwalden]

18. Oh Yes! Welcome Welcome Welcome to DU!!

You need a big gay hug and here I am to give you one! <SQUEEZE>

Once again... Welcome to DU!

-- Allen

[Misinformed01]

15. Hey!!! Welcome to DU!!!

Great sig line!!!

[Ravy]

16. Evidently more than 8 *grin* n/t

n/t

[Judi Lynn]

17. Kick!

:kick:

[Skarbrowe]

19. Hello!

Can I get one of those TeeYiYi welcomes? I'll think of something profound and thoughtful to say at another time.

<G>

Skarbrowe-Democrat 'till I die!(Because we all know heaven is nothing but Democrats. Wait..now I'm thinking about hell..and all the Republicans..and..oh, am I gonna be good from now on.)

[snippy]

20. Why would a republican hesitate to sign an oath while intending to

violate that oath? Like Bush himself, most Bush supporters lack any honesty or integrity. Just look at the Bush supporters who deceptively and mendaciously post at DU.