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BainsBane

(53,093 posts)
22. The DNC doesn't determine whether primaries are open or closed
Tue Jun 21, 2016, 08:12 PM
Jun 2016

The constitution grants states the authority to run elections.

My view is that such decisions should consider the long-term results. The current spate of proposals is because people want to rewrite this past election cycle, but that is short sighted. Those who feel frustrated by centrist tendencies on the party of Democrats should realize that opening up primaries will likely move the party closer to the center. If I had an actual vote on this, I would look at the political science research on the subject. What I would not do is make a decision based on which system favored my particular candidate in 2016.

That said, working in GOTV activities taught me that caucuses are extremely restrictive since so few people can actually attend on the night in question. My own state of MN just passed a law moving from caucuses to primaries, and I am thrilled with the change. Since we have no party registration, there are in effect open--with a stipulation and which party primary one votes in becomes a matter of public record.

#2 is the only one that will be truly considered by each state convention. tonyt53 Jun 2016 #1
For #3, you may have meant to type Eric J in MN Jun 2016 #2
yes I did, fixed. Thanks! nt geek tragedy Jun 2016 #3
I support #1 and #2, but I mainly care about #2. tarheelsunc Jun 2016 #4
+1 Garrett78 Jun 2016 #10
Same ... I'm not as concerned about the super delegates. JoePhilly Jun 2016 #23
+3 (my family) Maru Kitteh Jun 2016 #31
Ban caucuses. Keep the rest. onehandle Jun 2016 #5
^^this^^ Sheepshank Jun 2016 #11
I favor national election with one set of rules, paper ballot counted with verifiable audit trail. peace13 Jun 2016 #6
"national election with one set of rules" TwilightZone Jun 2016 #7
I'm Going to say this, as a resident of Ohio and a former poll worker..... peace13 Jun 2016 #9
our election system is a hot mess--actually dozens if not hundreds of hot messes geek tragedy Jun 2016 #12
Agreed TwilightZone Jun 2016 #16
Agreed but there is an Article 2 Section 1 issue right off the bat trying to do anything from stevenleser Jun 2016 #25
True, it would require one of many overdue geek tragedy Jun 2016 #26
Amendments require 2/3 majorities and in both houses Maru Kitteh Jun 2016 #33
Sadly true nt geek tragedy Jun 2016 #34
A national election would eliminate candidates that Bernie Sanders from the start... brooklynite Jun 2016 #8
All of the above, plus..... Armstead Jun 2016 #13
I favor #1, #2 I don't feel strongly about either way. I like the more active democracy of the TheKentuckian Jun 2016 #14
rough percentages thus far (combined) geek tragedy Jun 2016 #15
I would say move on with your life AgingAmerican Jun 2016 #17
We're discussing future changes, not the current system/primaries. TwilightZone Jun 2016 #18
This message was self-deleted by its author AgingAmerican Jun 2016 #35
I see disgruntled supporters of a winning candidate AgingAmerican Jun 2016 #37
Ban caucuses and open primaries; keep superdelegates and closed primaries (nt) LongtimeAZDem Jun 2016 #19
Seems like an awfully large amount of people like SD's MadBadger Jun 2016 #20
Could reflect primary divisions, and Trump's geek tragedy Jun 2016 #21
The DNC doesn't determine whether primaries are open or closed BainsBane Jun 2016 #22
I understand that, presumably some hortatory language geek tragedy Jun 2016 #24
I would go for a semi open primary like California. Agnosticsherbet Jun 2016 #27
Caucuses are absolutely awful and I don't understand why anyone would still favor them. Lord Magus Jun 2016 #28
I have the warm fuzzies for the Iowa Caucus IADEMO2004 Jun 2016 #29
Superdelegates save us from cults of personality like Trump. Lyric Jun 2016 #30
What about same day registration? democrattotheend Jun 2016 #32
Exponential permutations. geek tragedy Jun 2016 #38
#3 is a bit severe. SpareribSP Jun 2016 #36
I support all 3 (nt)! bigwillq Jun 2016 #39
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