Readers unhappy with loss of privacy in Michigan primary elections

Kalamazoo Gazette ^ | 12/28/2011 | Julie Mack

[Snoopers-868th]

For decades, Michigan voters have been able to vote in primary elections without anyone knowing whether they were choosing the Democratic or Republican ballot.

That changes under a new law that goes in action for February's presidential primary.

Now the candidates for each party will be printed on separate ballots, and voters will have to fill out a form at the polls that states which ballot they are selecting.

[no-to-illegals]

There are lists, and then there are computer lists. Said little while ago was probably on three or more lists. Truth be told, everyone, there is a list for everyone and everything done by each individual. Does a list exist of who votes for whom? You betcha! Little to no doubt anymore. Now ask yourself, why would someone want to know who you vote for?

[exDemMom]

In California, where I am registered to vote, I have always received a Republican primary ballot since I started declaring a party. The poll workers look at how you are registered on the books, and give you the appropriate ballot.

What is the perceived problem in Michigan? Separate ballots? Or is it the process of filling out a form stating which ballot one wants?

[Darren McCarty]

This is the Republican presidential primary. Republicans should pick the party's nominee. Not democrats. Not independents. This isn't the general election. This isn't even the state primary election.

Unfortunately, it's still an open primary, since one can choose a party ballot the same day.

[Darren McCarty]

Michigan does not register by party. The problem is that there's a tradition of crossover voting in primaries. Most of the population is irate at being forced to choose a party. My attitude is too bad.

Most of the party establishment likes closed primaries. The democrats don't want Geoff Fieger winning primaries. Republicans didn't want McCain winning.

[goat granny]

Back in the 80's when I had the farm, local elections were held like this. I would vote republican ballot. The slimy trick was all those that ran for local politics were democrats, so anyone voting republican could not vote for any of the locals running...I was furious and never encountered that before...

Voiced my complaint at township hall, they were totally uninterested in my complaint...That was how the democrats kept control of the township....

[goat granny]

this was in Michigan, Lenox county, primary voting.

[RightLady]

“Hi, boys. Y’all remember to vote today???” They could beat someone to death and Holder would say that it wasn’t racist since the guys doing the beating weren’t white.

[muir_redwoods]

How I wish they had tried to stop me on election day. “Never bring a baseball bat to a ...”

[DaveA37]

Does that mean we can no longer “stack the deck” to improve our chances of winning? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[equaviator]

Another link with more on this plus opinion poll-

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/12/post_236.html#incart_mce

[equaviator]

Another link with more on this plus opinion poll-

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/12/post_236.html#incart_mce