tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post114055418233452824..comments2023-10-24T11:05:25.288-04:00Comments on Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: Editorial: Hold OPEN PrimariesMark Rauterkushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-1140556358023331362006-02-21T16:12:00.000-05:002006-02-21T16:12:00.000-05:00The only fair way would be to hold open primaries ...<I>The only fair way would be to hold open primaries<BR/><BR/> Open primaries and voting machines with immediate hard copy of results are needed in our election; if, we want to insure honest elections. The current system and proposed voting equipment are a direct threat to our democracy.<BR/><BR/>The way primaries are conducted locally is in need of an update. <BR/><BR/>The current special election for City Council District 3 is a good example of how our system is set up to ensure the established parties hold onto power.<BR/><BR/>Since, tax payers at large are paying for the elections and not the parties themselves; the primaries and special elections should be open. <BR/><BR/>That is, you should not have to declare what party you belong to in order to get to vote in special and primary elections. <BR/><BR/>Recently the, Democratic Party and Republican officials met to appoint a candidate for the special election from their parties. There was no input from individual voters; just the backroom political machines, again.<BR/><BR/>The number of independent candidates in this special election shows my point. The only way these candidates can run now is as an independent.<BR/><BR/>I am registered to vote in one of the parties; but would rather be an independent voter. If, however I did register as such, I could not vote in primary elections. <BR/><BR/>Cross party elections are allowed in many states and I believe this removes some of the influence of the established parties and their political machines.<BR/><BR/>In a time when many of our citizens are involved in a conflict that is alleged to be spreading democracy; we should take the necessary steps to insure complete and honest elections. The influence and channeling of vast amounts of campaign funds and voting apparatus that can be manipulated in their results are currently in the headlines. If, we change the way we run our elections there is a chance to enhance the quality of our democracy. <BR/><BR/>We need completely open primaries if the taxpayer is made to pay for the elections. I am suggesting that parties could pay for their own elections prior to the primaries and run their candidates in a primary against other parties and independent candidates for us all to vote in. This would be a more pure form of democracy.<BR/><BR/>Paul McCarthy, South Side<BR/><BR/>(Editor’s Note: The Special Election to elect a councilman in District 3 slated for Tuesday, March 14 is an open election. Any registered voter in the district is eligible to vote for any candidate in this election, including members of all political parties and independents. The candidate elected on this date will serve the remainder of the unexpired term for the office vacated by Gene Ricciardi when he left to serve as a District Magisterial Judge in South Side.)</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-1140556250220323122006-02-21T16:10:00.000-05:002006-02-21T16:10:00.000-05:00Note, looking closer, I see that the "ONLY" word c...Note, looking closer, I see that the "ONLY" word came via the headline, and not the text of the letter. So, the critical element of the message needs to be tempered.Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.com