[Burgy]

The newspaper says you do not have to be registered with a political party to vote in the upcoming primary. Is this new/

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Burgy

The newspaper says you do not have to be registered with a political party to vote in the upcoming primary. Is this new/

I would contact League of Women's voters or perhaps your representative's office. I would be surprised if that is true.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Burgy

The newspaper says you do not have to be registered with a political party to vote in the upcoming primary. Is this new/

Because there are races with only one political party participating. I think they call it a Universal Primary.

Go to the Sumter County Elections page, verify your registration, and look for a link to see your sample ballot. At he very least you should see the lines for commissioners.

[kansasr]

This doesn't happen often. Usually one party will run a sham write-in candidate, so that the primary is closed to only registered voters in that party. That did not happen in the county commission races, so, since there are only candidates from one party, and whoever wins that primary will automatically win the election, then all registered voters can vote in these races.

[Keefelane66]

Originally Posted by Burgy

The newspaper says you do not have to be registered with a political party to vote in the upcoming primary. Is this new/

Closed Primary Election
Florida is a closed primary election state. Only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for respective party candidates.
I have no faith in The Daily Sun!

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

Closed Primary Election
Florida is a closed primary election state. Only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for respective party candidates.
I have no faith in The Daily Sun!

From the Sumter County website under voter guide on page 26 -> Voter Guide

Closed Primary Election
Florida is a closed primary election state. Only voters who are registered with a political
party may vote for respective party candidates or nominees for an office in a primary election,
including a presidential preference primary election.
However, there are times when all registered voters can vote in a primary election, regardless
of which major or minor political party they are registered or even if they are registered without
party affiliation:
• If all the candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner of the
primary election will not face any opposition in the general election, then all registered
voters can vote for any of the candidates for that office in the primary election.
• If races for nonpartisan judicial and school board offices, nonpartisan special districts or
local referendum questions are on the primary election ballot, then all registered voters,
including those without party affiliation are entitled to vote those races on the ballot.
At a general election, all voters receive the same ballot and may vote for any candidate or
question on the ballot regardless of party affiliation.

[MartinSE]

The answer has been given. But, we are seeing a trend in other primaries around the country of people switching parties to vote in the opposing parties primary as spoilers - voting for someone they think can not win against their real candidate in the general election. It has caused a lot of indigestion with the talking heads trying to predict what is going to happen in the upcoming election.

If you want to do that, as far as I know it is not illegal. Just beside to switch back in time to vote for real...

[villageuser]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

If you want to do that, as far as I know it is not illegal. Just beside to switch back in time to vote for real...

One doesn’t have to change back for the general election, what I am presuming you’re calling “vote for real”. One can vote for whatever candidate they feel like at that point. I’m going to presume all they have to do is change parties anytime they feel like voting a different party on the primary. I wish shenanigans like this wouldn’t happen, though.

[PugMom]

i'm happy i can vote! i prefer to stay independent due to the fact i have not much in common with either side anymore. very good news

[mlmarr]

Originally Posted by Burgy

The newspaper says you do not have to be registered with a political party to vote in the upcoming primary. Is this new/

no its Florida .. i register as conservative/republican to be able to vote in the primary's

[allsport]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

Closed Primary Election
Florida is a closed primary election state. Only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for respective party candidates.
I have no faith in The Daily Sun!

Not true when one party's candidates are running unopposed, it is then universal and everyone can vote for only those candidates. I am the opposite party and my ballot had the commissioners on it and I have already voted and taken it to the Voting Office.

[Johnsocat]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

The answer has been given. But, we are seeing a trend in other primaries around the country of people switching parties to vote in the opposing parties primary as spoilers - voting for someone they think can not win against their real candidate in the general election. It has caused a lot of indigestion with the talking heads trying to predict what is going to happen in the upcoming election.

If you want to do that, as far as I know it is not illegal. Just beside to switch back in time to vote for real...

Seems dishonest to register yourself into a party you don't support in order to have a vote in that party's candidate selection. Especially with the intent to select a candidate you think will lose against your party's candidate when you re-register with your party for the "vote for real" vote.
Just because there's no rule or law against this does not make it right. In my opinion it is dishonest and a form of cheating/sabotage. There is a reason why the primaries limit the voting to the voters in the parties.
I have zero respect for people who present themselves as someone/something they are not.

[jimmy o]

What newspaper was this? I did not read that in The Daily Sun, or POA. In any event not true.

[TheWarriors]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

The answer has been given. But, we are seeing a trend in other primaries around the country of people switching parties to vote in the opposing parties primary as spoilers - voting for someone they think can not win against their real candidate in the general election. It has caused a lot of indigestion with the talking heads trying to predict what is going to happen in the upcoming election.

If you want to do that, as far as I know it is not illegal. Just beside to switch back in time to vote for real...

Almost sounds like your endorsing it and your last comment leads me to believe you don’t mind voting irregularities like we’ve seen lately.

[paulajr]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

Closed Primary Election
Florida is a closed primary election state. Only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for respective party candidates.
I have no faith in The Daily Sun!

There is a ballot for “independent “ voters this year, as all candidates for one office are of the same party. Please do not spread incorrect information.