Here in NH, not only can people declare for a party on the day of an election (they can’t switch if they were already declared), they can walk in and register and vote on election day. It’s a terrible thing and has ruined this state. It will only get worse if we don’t do something about it and I don’t foresee that happening.
You can thank the Motor Voter law for on-site voter registration. That law should have been titled, “The Democrat Voter Registration Drive.” People who can’t be bothered to go to city hall to register to vote should just stay home on election day.
To say that because the Republicans are today in the minority they should always be in the minority just isn’t fair. If Republicans make themselves attractive to non-Republicans, it should not be surprising that non-Republicans come on board. I personally like locking-in voter registration and party affiliation 30 days prior to an election, photo i.d., and strict controls over non-resident voting (except for military) and over absentee voting. But, whatever are the rules for candidates from one state to another, are the rules.
During the GOP convention of 2004, following some very powerful speeches by moderate Republicans and a prominent conservative Democrat, affiliation with the Republican Party went up by about 6 points. This year, Huckabee appeals to many working-class Democrats. McCain appeals to many veterans and patriotic hispanics and American Indians. Romnney and Giuliani can connect with the northern suburban middle class that we have mostly lost during the past eight years. I realize all these fellows have weaknesses (even what Yogi Berra would describe as “a strong weakness”). But, I do think we will grow our party this year, and maybe significantly.