Comments on: N.Y. Independence Party Activist Files New Lawsuit to Gain More Intra-Party Democracy in His Party

By: Mike Drucker

Mike Drucker — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:42:34 +0000

Any party could change how they handle participation. After the IP participation of non-enrolled was approved, I made the first request to change the form. After much back-and-forth, the * was the states’ change to the form. I do not like there solution.

By: Jim R

Jim R — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:22:16 +0000

The registration form available on the Dutchess County County Board of Elections web site does include the asterisk and explanation. Perhaps it is an administrative error across the river?

I did not state that the IPNY need change its rules regarding non-enrolled persons participating in its primary. I stated that the IPNY (or any other party) could change its rules with regard to participation in its primary. Thus the registration forms are misleading.

By: billvanallen

billvanallen — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:29:56 +0000

again, and simply restated — the “instructions” are not part of the form. In fact, the instructions are omitted entirely in the “short form” being handed out by Ulster County BOE.

Also ALL supporting or related voter notification post cards or forms still have the original warning without any explanation including asterisk explanation or anything.

And the IPNY does not need to change any party rules regarding enrollment lock-box section of the NY Election Law.

bill

By: Jim R

Jim R — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:16:10 +0000

The instructions for Box 11 do state that a non-enrolled voter may vote vote in the Independence Party primary.

Box 11 itself includes the ” * See above” which is intended as a pointer to the instructions.

Perhaps Box 11 should be amended to simply say: “(Please read instructions)” and omit all mention of what a particular box means.

And is it not true, that the Independence Party could change its rules as far as participation of non-enrolled voters in its primaries?

By: Donald R Lake

Donald R Lake — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:17:14 +0000

Rodney Martin, Miste Van Allen as a potential anti John Blare, anti Frank MacKay ally?

By: billvanallen

billvanallen — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:03:50 +0000

of course “Box 11″ does not say the independence party allowing non-enrolled voters to vote in primary elections. It just has a “* See above” — not in on the “form” at all.

– this is one of the causes of action in the the new law suit.

By: Jim R

Jim R — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:27:46 +0000

The NY registration form does not have a box for “independent”. It has a box marked:

[ ] I DO NOT WISH TO ENROLL IN A PARTY

The voter registration form also includes the following instructions:

Box 11: Check one box only. In order to vote in a party primary, you must be enrolled in one of New Yorkâ€™s 5 constituted parties.

*Except the Independence Party, which permits non-enrolled voters to vote in their primary elections.

At worst, the instructions can be considered somewhat obscure. Since the right of non-members of any party to vote in a party primary is not unequivocal, the instructions might also be considered in error.

The California registration form notes that a party may exclude persons who have not stated a party affiliation. And in fact, this can change from election to election. For example, the California Republican Party, had a closed presidential primary, but a semi-open state primary.

By: George Devine

George Devine — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:45:28 +0000

Bill, since colonial days, our country has had two dominant parties. But unless the system makes it possible for a third party to replace one of the two old parties, there is no incentative for the old parties to be responsive to what people want. To keep the presure on the two dominant parties to be responsive to the will of the people, we must do away with restrictive ballot access laws. Bill, your work for OTB and ballot access has been praise worthy. Thanks.
George

By: billvanallen

billvanallen — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:50:16 +0000

A goal of the project will be to invite enough non-enrolleds to change enrollment to IPNY for the sole purpose of ensuring universal OTB (opportunity to ballot “OTB” write-in) primaries for ALL offices (public and party) in each election cycle. The state executive committee will still be totally free to pass out cross-party authorizations (so called Wilson-Pakula) and give the advantage to major party patrons, but there will be primary for every office and the disadvantage of the write can be addressed by several means.

bill

By: Steve Z

Steve Z — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:58:05 +0000

Richard – One minor correction in your post. As long as the voter enrolls in a party or changes to a new party 25 days or more before the general election, then the change will go through on the first Tuesday after the general election. Therefore, if I changed my enrollment now, it would be effective November 11th (possibly November 12th since the 11th is Veteran’s Day and they wouldn’t be there to make the change), not January 1st.