Editorial: Don't hijack votes in county elections

[shortcake]

Want a taste of life in the former Soviet Union?

Walter McCarty and 42,906 other Treasure Coast residents are getting a good taste of it today. They have been shut out of voting in the Indian River County races for two County Commission seats.



In Lake County this year, the same thing has happened to 93,000 voters, more than half of the county's electorate.

http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/editorials/article/0,,TCP_24460_4964837,00.html

Could someone explain this to me in simpler terms? I don't know if I'm just having a dumb day or what? I'm not sure I understand this. I asked one of the poll workers today and they said they didn't have a clue. I haven't read anything on DU about this either.

Thanks.

[Ravy]

1. Well, reading it I am not really sure.. but it sounds like...

That if there were only Republicans who filed for the office, everyone would be able to vote a Republican ballot for that office even if they were a Democrat or Independent. But, at the last minute, Republicans filed as write-in candidates as an Independent or Democrat, therefore making the Republican ballot closed to all but Republicans. Since the write-in candidates won't campaign or even be on the ballot, it was just a way of ensuring that the registered Republicans had the only say in the election.