DEAR "REGISTERED DEMOCRAT" -- I HAVE NEWS: YOU'RE NOT!
It is heartwarming when anyone wants to be a democrat and harmless when they say "I'm a registered democrat!". Harmless but false. In Illinois, we register gun owners, pets, automobiles and nurses, to name a few, but we don't register political party selection when we register voters.
Illinois is a primary self-selection State. We don't register by political parties.
When a voter shows up at the primary polls, he or she is whatever he or she indicates. Whichever ballot one asks for is given by the election judges without any investigation beyond that the voters is identified and registered as a voter. In Illinois, one can be a democrat in one primary and a republican in the next.
"I'm a registered democrat" is, on its face, a harmless profession of faith. It is also factually incorrect, as applied to anybody. One is a democrat because that person self-selects to be a democrat and the self-selection process takes place every election cycle. I surely wouldn't hold it against anyone who wouldn't take a pledge he or she knows to be false.
When someone says to me "I'm a registered democrat." I know his or her heart's in the right place. I also know that he or she doesn't know stickum about how elections and registration work in Illinois.
posted by UMRBlog @ 04:52
9 comments
9 Comments:
Its ok Tony, While you might not say that you are a "registered" Democrat we all know when asked what your response would be. We have never seen you shy away from stating that you are a Democrat. We are sorry if Mrs. Volm has caused you any embarrassment in regards to this matter.
Its OK buddy! We can see that she hasn't listened much to your advice. Her last letter was a tell-tale sign.
It's funny. I understand why you say that. It looks like I wrote that because of the Forum.
I write in advance on about three topics of interest and just kind of keep them in the can. If no breaking news comes out, I finish off that topic and post it. This is one of those. I actually put up some thoughts on this one when someone who should know better said the "R" word to me about three weeks ago. It was just amusing. Kind of a "Where does that terminology come from?" question.
I didn't go to the forum but I have now heard GV's answer. That is not what provoked this piece but I guess that makes it topical. Admitting that Forum answers are harder than they look to the audience, I do have to say it was not a question I would have needed any prepping for. "Democrat to the bone!" comes to mind.
OTOH, it is funny how often something rattling around in my brain becomes topical fairly soon.
Thank you for stopping by.
I told the Carper crowd that this was a trick question at the forum, no one got it. Volm did a great job with it, indicating essentially what your post said! We need someone in that office that understands these points. Like I told them, the only way you can really even claim to be a D or an R, you just vote that way and hang out in certain groups of people. I'm still looking for a place to register "officially", went to the DMV, clerk's office, social securtiy, human services, party HQ, court house, still can't find the place!!!!LOL
Anon 825
You went to the wrong place! The prisoners at the Adams County Jail have formed what they call "Precinct Committeman Coalition Annex" and they will register you as a "registered democrat". You must provide your social security number and address to qualify.
They will also sign you up for a "Gold Registered Democrat Account" which includes a really cool secret decoder ring and an autographed picture of the founders of the "Precinct Committeman Coalition". For this you must provide your bank account numbers, ISP account, password and online banking information. They promise to shred your information when they've processed your application.
The devil made me write this.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Tony: maybe this is a matter of semantics,but I'm registered with the Adams County democratic Central committee. I'm sure you are also. That makes us both registered as far as I'm concerned.
Just because the State of Illinois does not register party affilliation doesn't mean we can't be proudly registered somewhere else....Joe
Joe,
It probably is. We all have voluntary orgs we register with. For example, I am a veteran whether I join the Legion or the VVA or the VFW.
You overall point is good. It's a harmless term and the difference is probably semantic.
Arent you supposed to far away?
Tony: I'm just a mouse click away for you. I'm waiting to see your thoughts on the Republican crossovers that saved Georgia's job.
Joe,
I told Pundit I'd have it up tomorrow but I found something more topical. It'll probably be Saturday for the crossover issue and Sunday for an analysis of the election returns.
Subject to headlines, after that, I fully intend to do two parts Spike-bashing to one part baseball with a pinch of the Masters-is-coming.
Thanks for stopping by.
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