Someone explain AmeriKKKan politics

[bailey_187]

WHen some one is a registered Democrat, does that mean they are a member or what?

To vote in say the Democrat primaries to you have to be a registerd dem or a member of the dems or what?

can registered indepedents vote in a dem primary? a dem in a republican primary?

i just dont get the workings of the worlds greatest democracy

(the spelling of America is for advertisment for my thread)

Thanks AmeroKrakkkers

[iskrabronstein]

It depends on the party procedure for each state; some, like Louisiana, have open primaries in which the top two finishers, regardless of party, are pitted against each other in the general election. More common are closed primaries, where only registered Republican or Democratic delegates (elected by local delegating commissions organized by the parties) may compete to take the party's slot for office.

The reason it does not make sense it because it is not consistent or standardized.

[chegitz guevara]

As IB writes, it really depends on the state. For example, in Oregon, registering to vote for a party makes you a member of that party, with the ability to set rules, etc. In Florida, being a registered elector does not make you a member of the Party, and they can set their own rules as to who is in or out.

Nationally, the two parties do not exist. Instead, what you have is a network of fifty state parties, plus affiliated political actions committees, think tanks, etc. The Democratic National Committee, for example, has absolutely no authority over anyone ... except for financing and representation at the convention.

[B0LSHEVIK]

Depends on your state, Im in California, so I'll let you know how it works here.

Up until this year, California had 2 primary elections; one for Dems, one for Repigs. Dems could not vote in Repig primaries and vice versa. That changed this past nov however, and now, the top two vote-getters in the primaries will run head to head for the governorship. Its supposed to open up the gates for 3rd parties, but knowing Americans, they'll probably vote for the teapartyer and the businessman which sucks.

[Sensible Socialist]

WHen some one is a registered Democrat, does that mean they are a member or what?
Depending on state laws, as others have said, the actual effect of registering varies.


To vote in say the Democrat primaries to you have to be a registerd dem or a member of the dems or what?
Again, depends on state laws. Some states have open primaries, where anyone can vote for all candidates.


can registered indepedents vote in a dem primary? a dem in a republican primary?
See above.


i just dont get the workings of the worlds greatest democracy
If America is a democracy, McDonald's is fine dining. :lol:

[Sixiang]

It depends on the party procedure for each state; some, like Louisiana, have open primaries in which the top two finishers, regardless of party, are pitted against each other in the general election. More common are closed primaries, where only registered Republican or Democratic delegates (elected by local delegating commissions organized by the parties) may compete to take the party's slot for office.

The reason it does not make sense it because it is not consistent or standardized.
Yep. Pretty much this. It just depends on the state.


Nationally, the two parties do not exist. Instead, what you have is a network of fifty state parties, plus affiliated political actions committees, think tanks, etc. The Democratic National Committee, for example, has absolutely no authority over anyone ... except for financing and representation at the convention.
Bingo. We have a winner.

[smashcapital]

In Arizona primaries are done at the same time. A registered democrat can only vote on the democrat ballot and a registered republican can only vote on a republican ballot. An independent can choose either a republican or democrat ballot but they have to choose one or the other and can only vote on one. In the general election only one ballot is used and all of the candidates that are remaining for all parties will be listed, including third parties. There is also a section for propositions that have been put forth where the voters will directly decide with a yes or no vote on whether or not to adopt a rule or policy. On these whatever the majority of voters decided will be enacted.