If you vote for one party in the primary, shoul you need to vote for the same party..
 

in the main election? Or allow them to vote for a third party?

It would make things a little more interesting at least. I think it would be a good thing, both for the parties picking the right people for them (you don't get democrats in the early race voting for McCain because they didn't want Romney/Giuliani, and now you don't get republicans crossing over and voting for Hilary who would be their worst nightmare if she won.)

I think it would take a lot of the politics out of it, and give independents/3rd parties a boost. You could vote against the person you don't like in the primary, but you then wouldn't be able to vote for their preferred parties candidate. Even if the person they don't like won.

What do you think?

I think that would be unconstitutional.

I agree and don't like the idea at all.

Most definitely unconstitutional.

If the primary systems are broken, then it should be up to the parties to fix it themselves.

I... um... agree.

Wow. :expressionless:

ditto

Congratulations to ASU2003 for posting the least debatable topic in Tilted Politics in 2008! Here's your free toaster and a year's supply of Turtle Wax!

Yeah, unconstitutional and the parties have to fix it.

Wow, the planets must be in alignment. I agree too. Kuddos!

There are other alternatives.

In Texas you can only vote in the primary if you register as a Dem/Republican. That keeps people from cross-voting, and continuing division within the opposing party.

Seaver: I think that is true across the nation, that is what a primary is all about - the parties.

Original OP: What you propose is unconstitutional, and should remain that way I believe. You know, freedom and all that stuff.

Edit: And let me say that it annoys me when anyone starts to fuck with our voting system - the reps in TX changing voting parameters, the Florida debacle, the last election, voter frauds that I dont know about, all of it. There was a point a few years ago where my family threatened to not allow me to talk about politics as I would go apoplectic and start to mumble under my breathe. Im telling you, just dont fuck with it.

I agree with Ustwo, willravel, and ottopilot.

what the fuck

So what would you guys do to get rid of tactical voting? Our current system of voting has gotten us politicians that get 20% approval ratings, so there is something wrong with the system.

It is done at the state level now, is that why you are saying it is unconstitutional? There are states that have better systems than others and we should fix the problems so we get the correct candidates that will reflect people's views (so at least 50% of the country should be happy).

ASU...I'm not sure what you think the problem is.

By tactical voting, do you mean cross-over voting like occurred in the recent Tex, Ohio and Pa Democratic primaries, where Republicans "temporarily" registered as Democrats to attempt to influence the Clinton/Obama race?

Not much can be done about it, but it does have a built-in disincentive in many cases. If you are a Repub and temporarily register as a Dem for a primary, you give up the right to participate in the Republican primary and even if the Presidential nominee has been decided (ie McCain), you lose the opportunity to vote for Repub primary candidates for other offices on the ballot (House, Senate, state legislature, etc).

If you think the problem is proportional voting (Dem primaries) or winner-take-all (Repub primaries)...that is a different issue. Both have pluses and minuses.

I'm not sure what you mean by "its done at the state level" either. No state puts any restrictions on who a citizen can vote for in a general election..for president, governor, legislator, mayor...that is unconstitutional.

there are some states where you don't have to register for one party or the other until AFTER the primaries

True...that is the case in state with totally open primaries....but you can still only vote in one primary.

In fact, you dont have to register for either major party (or any party) in order to vote in the general election. Most states offer "undeclared" (or some similar designation) for party affiliation on the voter registration.

>>there are some states where you don't have to register for one party or the other until AFTER the primaries<<

This is true? In OR you need to be registered Dem or Rep to vote in the primary. Indep or Greens dont get a primary vote.