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California says independents can vote in Democrats' 2020 primary, but not Republicans'
The Washington Times ^ | Monday, October 21, 2019 | Associated Press

Posted on 10/21/2019 6:58:02 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s more than 5.6 million independent voters will be allowed to vote in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, but not in the Republican contest, Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced Monday.

The two parties have used a similar setup in recent presidential primaries.

The state’s presidential primary will be held on March 3, 2020, known as “Super Tuesday,” because of the large number of state contests that day. California is one of the biggest prizes, offering nearly 500 delegates in the Democratic nominating contest.

Independent voters, known in the state as “no party preference,” make up roughly 28% of registered California voters. But experts predict they’ll make up just 15% of the Democratic primary electorate because of extra steps they need to take to get a presidential ballot, said Paul Mitchell, who runs the nonpartisan firm Political Data, Inc., which gathers and sells voter data. Rather than skewing more moderate, the independents who will vote in the Democratic contest are likely to be young, more diverse and more progressive than the rest of the electorate, he said.

In state primaries, California puts all candidates on the same ballot regardless of party, and the two candidates that receive the highest vote totals move onto the general election. All voters use the same ballot regardless of party registration.

But the presidential primary doesn’t work that way. Independent voters will need to specifically ask for a Democratic ballot at the polls or by mail ahead of the primary.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: california

1 posted on 10/21/2019 6:58:02 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The Totalitarian state rolls on.


2 posted on 10/21/2019 6:59:35 PM PDT by antidemoncrat
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Good—why should non-Republicans have a say in who our candidates are?

I don’t live in CA, thankfully, but same goes anywhere.


3 posted on 10/21/2019 7:03:57 PM PDT by moonhawk (Excuse me...Did you just presume the gender of the Earth Deity?)
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To: antidemoncrat

Do you really want those liberals voting in the republican primary? I know I don’t.


4 posted on 10/21/2019 7:04:30 PM PDT by TexasGator (Z1z)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Yeah. It’s a state. In your country.


5 posted on 10/21/2019 7:05:52 PM PDT by Attention Surplus Disorder (Apoplectic is where we want them)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Sounds like voter suppression. Time to get a lawyer and make some money


6 posted on 10/21/2019 8:42:27 PM PDT by Bommer (2020 - Vote all incumbent congressmen and senators out! VOTE THE BUMS OUT!!!)
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To: Bommer
"Sounds like voter suppression."

Sure does.

7 posted on 10/21/2019 8:49:32 PM PDT by Pajamajan ( Pray for our nation. Thank the Lord for everything you have. Don't wait. Do it today.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

...... How is this not election tampering?


8 posted on 10/21/2019 9:10:00 PM PDT by R_Kangel ("A nation of sheep will beget a nation ruled by wolves")
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To: moonhawk
Good—why should non-Republicans have a say in who our candidates are? I don’t live in CA, thankfully, but same goes anywhere.

We have zero say in the presidential candidate selection anyhow so it is really a non story.

9 posted on 10/21/2019 10:15:22 PM PDT by gunsequalfreedom
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To: gunsequalfreedom

Well then, why even bother? Or are you a Californian? Trying to understand your comment.


10 posted on 10/21/2019 11:27:18 PM PDT by moonhawk (Excuse me...Did you just presume the gender of the Earth Deity?)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I continue to object to taxpayer funds being used to finance a private party nomination. The parties are private organizations let them finance their own nominating elections. Otherwise why not argue that the state should finance all the rotary club, fraternal order and home-owners association elections too?


11 posted on 10/22/2019 12:26:33 AM PDT by monkeyshine (live and let live is dead)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Here in Texas I plan to vote for Democrat Marianne Williamson in the Democrat Primary. I think her Crystal-gazing approach to policy is MUCH BETTER than any other Dem, and there is no reason to vote in the Republican Primary (no competitive races). Obviously, I’ll vote for Trump in November, along with all other Republicans on the ticket.


12 posted on 10/22/2019 12:57:11 AM PDT by BobL (I eat at McDonald's and shop at Walmart - I just don't te Don'tll anyone.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Not really news...been this way forever in CA...the big (negative) change was open primaries for STATE races. Independent/NPP can vote for anybody in Fed. races, (R) and (D) have their own ballots for Federal races. Parties have the option to open it up if they want I think...(R) & (D) party officials usually just allow (I) tho.. Been that way since I started voting in 1978.


13 posted on 10/22/2019 1:34:52 AM PDT by Drago
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To: moonhawk
Well then, why even bother? Or are you a Californian? Trying to understand your comment.

The California GOP is inept and the Dems so outnumber everyone else as a result. That becomes the question. Why even bother. Conservative in California means you do you campaign work in other states where it has a chance of making a difference.

14 posted on 10/22/2019 8:22:14 AM PDT by gunsequalfreedom
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