(12-30-2016, 10:42 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: So there has been a bill introduced in my state legislature by my state senator (whom I loathe) that would require party registration. It is an effort to allow the parties to close their primaries in the state. My issue with party registration is that it does not equate to party membership, all it does it cause people to further identify with parties and increase divisiveness. If a party wants only their "members" involved then go with a convention or something, but party registration, to me anyway, is a pointless tool.

What do you all think? If party registration means nothing beyond a political party being able to close their primary, do you think it should be used?

(12-31-2016, 12:44 AM)bfine32 Wrote: I think the reasoning behind the closed primary is so there isn't an attempt to subvert the opposing party. I do think all primaries should be like the general. Both parties on the same ticket and only one vote. No Dem primary this week and GOP next.

(12-30-2016, 10:42 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: So there has been a bill introduced in my state legislature by my state senator (whom I loathe) that would require party registration. It is an effort to allow the parties to close their primaries in the state. My issue with party registration is that it does not equate to party membership, all it does it cause people to further identify with parties and increase divisiveness. If a party wants only their "members" involved then go with a convention or something, but party registration, to me anyway, is a pointless tool.

What do you all think? If party registration means nothing beyond a political party being able to close their primary, do you think it should be used?

(12-30-2016, 10:51 PM)wildcats forever Wrote: I'm against anything that results in closed primaries.

(12-30-2016, 10:58 PM)Rotobeast Wrote: That's some BS.
Heck, we're just trying to get the Libertarian Party re-recognized by the state of Ohio.
Conniving D's and R's, anyway.

 http://ballot-access.org/2016/12/30/u-s-supreme-court-puts-libertarian-ohio-case-on-conference-of-january-6-2017/

(12-31-2016, 12:44 AM)bfine32 Wrote: I think the reasoning behind the closed primary is so there isn't an attempt to subvert the opposing party. I do think all primaries should be like the general. Both parties on the same ticket and only one vote. No Dem primary this week and GOP next.

(12-31-2016, 01:34 AM)Benton Wrote: agreed and agreed.

we're closed in Kentucky. For the most part, its led to a lot of Dino s (Democrats in name only) because in a lot of areas in the state, its about the only way to get elected as a lot of folks view may as the election and November for when you go vote for Mitch McConnell

(01-02-2017, 03:39 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: Political parties should reserve the right to limit voting in primaries to only members of their party. If you want to vote, you have plenty of time to register for that party. I do this every primary cycle.

Would it benefit them to have open primaries so that they are getting a candidate who will attract the most independents? Sure, and if they are smart, they'll do that.

With regards to the original post, I agree that party registration will cause more divisiveness, but... that's already occurring when our elections are just D v R. Until multiple parties are viable in most elections, you won't see a difference. You'd need to ban political parties, forcing politicians into caucuses, but that would be unconstitutional.