North Dakota GOP Caucus 2016: Online Straw Poll Under Way. The state party scrapped ...caucus

Across America Patch ^ | March 1, 2016 | Deb Belt

[Smokin' Joe]

Yep, we got screwed. To say I am angry at the GOPe is an understatement.

[Parley Baer]

I don’t like the caucus idea. I much prefer a straight vote by the voters. Less chance of hanky-panky.

[Smokin' Joe]

I agree, I'd prefer a closed primary. But to not even have a caucus effectively strips us of our ability to be heard.

We have been disenfranchised.

[RIghtwardHo]

Wow.

And as an aside, I will never understand why States just don’t have closed Primaries.

[Maine Mariner]

However, in the past North Dakota held its primary in September.

[justlittleoleme]

If you follow the link referenced in the article in points to northdakotastrawpoll.com....that is --->

"PAID FOR BY CRAMER FOR CONGRESS PO BOX 396 BISMARCK, ND 58502-0396"

[Ladysforest]

So does the “online caucus” total even have significance?

[Smokin' Joe]

Yep. I saw that.

Funny how that works. As of right now, though, there are no GOP presidential caucuses in ND (and no Republican primary).

[Vigilanteman]

Residents can vote online at www.northdakotastrawpoll.com, which requires users to give their name, email address and ZIP code to try to keep the votes to North Dakota residents only.

This sounds like such a secure way to count votes.

What would prevent me, a former North Dakota resident, from voting on line and using a former zip code? Does North Dakota have voter registration now (they didn't when I left) which they would check against?

If not, then anybody can do it . . . not just former North Dakota residents.

[Smokin' Joe]

Last time around, it was earlier, in March

[Smokin' Joe]

Nothing binding, but then the caucuses were not really binding either. Another reason to just have a closed primary.

[Ladysforest]

Thanks

[dynoman]

This seems real fishy.

[Smokin' Joe]

Did you file ND taxes last year? Maybe they are going by that or DMV records, I can’t say.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

It's not about caucus vs. primary. It's about binding and not binding delegates.

Iowa Republicans seem to have figured out how to run a caucus that binds delegates.

Why can't North Dakota and Colorado figure it out?

[dynoman]

http://www.whoismind.com/whois/northdakotastrawpoll.com.html

[Smokin' Joe]

Yep. It does seem really fishy. Especially when we don't even get to caucus. The online straw poll is not legally binding in any way, and may just be Cramer's office testing the waters. I must note that it also says:

"By participating in the North Dakota GOP Straw Poll, you are -- or pledge -- to vote Republican in the upcoming election and a resident of legal voting age of the state of North Dakota. ".

It did not say which office, so I'm okay with that, but that presumes people who participate will do so honestly.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

If the parties funded the primaries they could keep them closed.

If they are funded, even partially by the state, then the state can dictate how those primaries are run. We have a quasi-open primary here in Cali because that's what the people asked for (the friggin' idiots!)

Caucuses are the cheapest way to run a nomination because you don't have to rent out facilities or hire people to run the polls.

The person who pays the piper gets to pick the tune.

[Smokin' Joe]

Interesting, thanks.

[Smokin' Joe]

The person who pays the piper gets to pick the tune.

Well, it looks like there isn't going to be any music at this dance.