Unfortunately, my party change request was denied...

[Starks]

I had postmarked well before the deadline in Maryland and I am simply dumbfounded as to why my request was denied.

At any rate, in the eyes of the Maryland Department of State, I'm still registered as a Democrat.

Should I exercise my right to vote by choosing Obama in the primary on the 12th?

[MRoCkEd]

no

[Sandra]

I don't think they can deny your decision to change your party.

[LibertyEagle]

I had postmarked well before the deadline in Maryland and I am simply dumbfounded as to why my request was denied.

At any rate, in the eyes of the Maryland Department of State, I'm still registered as a Democrat.

Should I exercise my right to vote by choosing Obama in the primary on the 12th?

Call them and raise heck about them denying you. If in fact you sent it in well in advance, this is BS.

[Starks]

Why not? It'll be either Obama or Hillary in the general election. As an Independent, I have a vested interest in making sure Hillary doesn't get the nod.

[Royksopp]

Make sure you get out and spread the Ron Paul message then.

You might be lucky enough to find a Democrat who is stuck as a registered Republican- so then you could simply vote for their choice, and they vote for Paul for you.

[nodope0695]

As long as your letter was postmarked before the deadline, you should be good to go. I'd raise hell about it. Who the hell are they to "deny" you right to choose your party?

[Starks]

In all honesty, I had cut it dangerously close with regard to the postmarking.

[Dorfsmith]

I have a friend in CA who asked last night if it was too late for him to get an absentee because he is out of state for the week. :rolleyes: I yelled at him and told him that since he won't be voting he had better make up for it and get some other votes.

[KewlRonduderules]

In all honesty, I had cut it dangerously close with regard to the postmarking.



As long as it was postmarked by the deadline, there shouldn't be a problem. I'd complain.

[Redcard]

So wait.. you were "Well before the deadline" in your first post, then "cut it dangerously close" with your later post.

Be honest, given that most state election offices say a 3 to 5 business day turnaround.. and that they are often closed on non business days.. how close were you?

[Chester Copperpot]

Why not? It'll be either Obama or Hillary in the general election. As an Independent, I have a vested interest in making sure Hillary doesn't get the nod.

If you are an independent you should be able to show up on primary day and declare your affiliation there. Thats what Im doing In New Jersey. Ive already confirmed it wih the board of elections

[Mr. White]

Either it was postmarked correctly or not. If it was, contact your supervisor of elections and get an explanation. If you want to vote for Obam, do so. We don't need a half-assed post masquerading as a springboard when all you want is 'permission.'

Normally I'd be polite, but given the number of posts you've made and your join date, I frankly don't give a damn. You were aware of what you needed to do. If you did, take what's yours, if not, we aren't your mamma.

[Starks]

If you are an independent you should be able to show up on primary day and declare your affiliation there. Thats what Im doing In New Jersey. Ive already confirmed it wih the board of elections

As far as I know, Maryland is closed to Independents.

[Starks]

To compound my situation, I'm not even 100% sure about my party affiliation.

I voted Democrat in the 2006 election and my memory of whether I checked of "Democrat" or "Independent" on the voter card is extremely hazy.

[cswake]

Write Paul in on the Democratic ticket. :)

[LibertyEagle]

Why did you wait so late, Starks? This was like the most important thing you had to do in this campaign. Make sure you were registered correctly, so that you could vote for Ron Paul.

[Royksopp]

Write Paul in on the Democratic ticket. :)

wont count for anything.

[slamhead]

I had postmarked well before the deadline in Maryland and I am simply dumbfounded as to why my request was denied.

At any rate, in the eyes of the Maryland Department of State, I'm still registered as a Democrat.

Should I exercise my right to vote by choosing Obama in the primary on the 12th?

No..ask for a provisional ballot and make sure your vote is counted.

[Quick]

I've vote for Obama if I couldn't vote for Ron Paul.

Not because I think Obama would be the best choice for the country, I believe he is the best choice out of the people who are running (excluding Paul, of course).

[m72mc]

I had postmarked well before the deadline in Maryland and I am simply dumbfounded as to why my request was denied.

At any rate, in the eyes of the Maryland Department of State, I'm still registered as a Democrat.

Should I exercise my right to vote by choosing Obama in the primary on the 12th?

exercise your right to register as a republican

[ronpaulyourmom]

I would be protest voting on whatever ballot I could. I would not be voting for Obama. Strategically speaking if Ron runs Independent we sort of want Hillary to be in the game. But if he doesn't run then we're faced with Hillary and McCain? ugh...

Tough choice dude, I donno, gl.

[bulloncoins]

Oh great......another lost vote......thanks.

[Richie]

I sent you a PM that might help.

[Starks]

Write Paul in on the Democratic ticket. :)

I forgot about write-ins... :rolleyes:

[LibertyEagle]

I had postmarked well before the deadline in Maryland and I am simply dumbfounded as to why my request was denied.

At any rate, in the eyes of the Maryland Department of State, I'm still registered as a Democrat.

Should I exercise my right to vote by choosing Obama in the primary on the 12th?

If this is true, why are you giving up so easily? :confused: At least call them and contest this.

[JeffersonAndLiberty]

I forgot about write-ins... :rolleyes:


You can't write-in a Republican on a Democratic ballot.

[cswake]

I forgot about write-ins... :rolleyes:Why the sarcasm? Didn't see you mention it in the op...

[Starks]

You can't write-in a Republican on a Democratic ballot.

Why not? As far as I understand legally, a write-in can be anyone, regardless of party of affiliation.

[JeffersonAndLiberty]

Why not? As far as I understand legally, a write-in can be anyone, regardless of party of affiliation.

I thought you said it was a closed primary... These are the 4 parties recognized by Maryland, there are no Independents, and the registration to change was last November. If you are still a registered Dem and your primary IS closed, then you cannot vote in the Primary... You can try if you want.

# Democratic Party
(National website | Maryland website)
# Republican Party
(National website | Maryland website)
# Green Party
(National website | Maryland website)
# Libertarian Party

[homah]

Why not? As far as I understand legally, a write-in can be anyone, regardless of party of affiliation.

Even if this is true, it will be a vote for him to be the democratic nominee.

[Starks]

Even if this is true, it will be a vote for him to be the democratic nominee.

You make it sound like that's a bad thing...

[JeffersonAndLiberty]

Yeah, it is closed... You have until 2/12 though. If you can convert as many people as possible by canvassing or becoming a precinct captain you can turn this into a positive. You can vote in the primary but only for a Democrat. If you got your registration postmarked before the November deadline, I'd absolutely fight it, get the SOS on the horn and light him up.

[cswake]

Paul is the best candidate for all Americans - democrat or republican. If your voice can't count, I'd say take a chance and send a message to the establishment. :)

[Redcard]

I'm a little curious, Starks.. you've changed your story a few times here.

First, you registered as a Republican in plenty of time.

Then, you said you really kinda cut it close.

Then, you said you couldn't remember if you were a democrat or an independant.

Let's be honest here, you missed the deadline, didn't you? Filing a provisional ballot will do you no good, because you forgot to do the most important part of this whole thing.

Just.. be honest. Don't lie. If you forgot, that sucks, but you need to be going out and getting people to vote to make up for it.