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Too Independent To Vote

Written by Bud Foster KOLD News 13

We're told "read the fine print." Or maybe "the devil's in the details." There's a reason those sayings have been around a long time and are very good advice.

They are certainly applicable in this year's presidential primary.

When voters went to the polls in 1998 to put the finishing touch on Arizona's progressive agenda, 60% of those who cast ballots felt it was important to have "open primaries."

An open primary means a voter does not have to be registered with a party to vote in the election. It's one of the reasons 700,000 voters in our state are now registered independent. They can vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary. It's their choice.

But not this year.

When the backers put the issue on the ballot, Proposition 103, it read "for all elective State, county, and city offices, including candidates for United State Senator and for Representative in Congress."

Nowhere does it mention president or presidential elections. Which is why this year, anyone wanting to vote in the February 5, 2008 primary, must be a registered Democrat or Republican.

"If you want to vote in the presidential preference election, you have to declare the party, Democrat or Republican, so whatever candidate you are out there supporting, you must register under that particular candidate's party affiliation," says F. Ann Rodriquez, the Pima County Recorder.

Whether it was a mistake or done on purpose, it will stand unless or until the state legislature fixes it.

"I don't make them, I just implement the laws. And after this election, I think we'll see a change in this particular statute," she says.

But just because a voter re-registers to vote in the preference election, doesn't mean they have to stay that way.

"If they want to re-register after the election is over and go back to independents or no party affiliation, they may do that. They don't have to stay with that political party forever," advises Rodriquez.

Which is why she believes the law will be changed for 2012.

It's likely to be a mess this election with some people showing up and being denied a  ballot.

"I instruct my staff to tell the callers, 'this is the name of your state legislator" I suggest you let them know how you feel," she says.

By the way, independents have until January 7, 2008 to make the switch. If not, they have to wait until November to cast the next ballot.