Paying dues vs. voter registration form

[DekuScrub]

In the US, what's the difference between officially joining a socialist organization (paying dues) and just registering with that party on your voter form? Ie. Like Socialist Alternative...I assume you have to pay dues to be an official member, but can't you also just list it as your party on your voter registration form? What's the difference?

[John Nada]

"Joining" a party on the voter registration in the US is misleading. The Democrats and Republicans don't have tens of millions of party members. Both are just "good ol boy's" tools that connect politicians and businesspeople. Actually joining an organization is different than saying you'd vote for them. In fact, there's parties that don't run in elections. Hell, you can join a party and not register them.

It differs from state to state. If you register for a party, you get to vote for the primary candidates of that party or run as a candidate of that party(sometimes the Democrats/Republicans abuse this with fake third party candidates). Some states have open primary elections, which means anyone can vote in a party's primary, semi-open where only non-affiliated, independent or registered members can vote in a primary, or closed where the voter has to register for that party.

[lutraphile]

Is Socialist Alternative even an option to register for? I don't think my state has partisan registration. I am a dues-paying member but I don't think I have any legal connection to them.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

Parties and organisations sometimes need resources to maintain their activities: keeping websites running, making phone calls to prospective members, printing leaflets etc... These things cost money unfortunately. Most decent organisations only require you to pay as much as you can afford so if you're unemployed, a low wage worker or a student you won't be expected to pay that much at all.