Bill would change right of undeclared voters

[paineinthearse]

Common ground for the Republicrats when it comes to independents and third parties!!

=================

http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showfast.html?article=50627

Bill would change right of undeclared voters
By TOM FAHEY
State House Bureau Chief

CONCORD — The New Hampshire House is scheduled to vote today on a bill that would end a primary voter’s right to reclaim independent voter status right after voting. The current primary system lets an undeclared voter cast either a Democratic or Republican Party ballot, then re-register as an undeclared voter before leaving the polling place. Independent voters, who are not registered with either party, make up roughly a third of all New Hampshire voters. House Bill 154 would let independent voters continue to take a ballot from either party at a primary. But after casting a ballot, a voter would have to wait 90 days before returning to independent status. Current law lets voters go back to undeclared status at the polls minutes after they vote.

<snip>

Political observers and elected officials disagreed on what effect such a change would have on the battle to help New Hampshire retain its first-in-the-nation Presidential primary, or on primary turnouts in general. Most said voters will still show an interest, being drawn by exciting candidates or races and not worrying about how they get back independent status once voting is done. Others said many voters don’t want to be bothered going back to the town or city hall to change their party status months after the election.

<snip>

“We’re allowing undeclared voters to pick candidates for both our parties,” she said. “That is a privilege our system gives them.”

<snip>

The Democratic National Committee has established a commission to study primary schedules for 2008, in which New Hampshire will have to defend its first-in-the-nation status. The committee’s first meeting is next month. “Having a large number of independents voting helps us make our case that the New Hampshire primary is a good thing,” said state Democratic Chairman Kathy Sullivan. She said voter interest in the primary will drop off among independents once they experience life under the proposed new rules, which would require a trip to city hall to change party affiliation. “They may ask themselves, ‘Why go through the hassle?’” Sullivan said. “I think we need to do things that encourage people to vote, not discourage them.”

Sullivan said Republicans began looking at ways to limit independents in 2000, after Sen. John McCain of Arizona beat George W. Bush in the New Hampshire primary. Richard Killion, former polling director at Franklin Pierce College and a Republican consultant, said the issue has been a long-standing concern among activists in both parties.

more.......