Can Republicans in vote in a Democratic Primary?

[eyeswideopened]

I read a post on a Deanfornewhampshire forum that one person was concerned that some republicans might be voting in a democratic caucus since they don't need to vote for Bush right now. They would then switch back and vote for Bush in the fall.

Does anyone else share this concern?

[Braden]

1. no

registered independents and Democrats can vote in the Dem primary. However many independents will vote for Kerry or Dean but may choose bush In October.

But registered republicans must vote in the republican primary.

[slackmaster]

2. I don't know about NH but it is a concern here in California

Anyone can vote in any primary by simply registering as "Declined To State" a party affiliation.

See http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_u.htm

As of January 2, 2004 16.2% of California voters are registered as DTS. If they were able to work as a group (which I doubt could ever happen) they could deliberately subvert a major party's primary. For example, if all the DTS voters decided to vote in the Democratic primary they could block the front-runner by all voting for the candidate in the #2 or #3 position.

That's never happened, but the potential exists.

[eyeswideopened]

3. See I told you the Republicans were voting in this primary

On MSNBC now. They they go to the change table to change their party preference back after they vote.

[Auntie Bush]

4. Yes, Republicans can vote in the NH primaries

That was just explained on msnbc from a NH polling place.

[Tesha]

5. NO! Enrolled Republicans CANNOT vote in the NH Primary!

Only "Democrats" and "Undeclared" voters can take a Democratic
Ballot in the NH Presidential Primary.

But there are lots of "Undeclared" voters who are clearly Libertarians-
or Republicans-at-heart.

Tesha

[mike1963]

6. You are wrong.

unfortunately

edit: technically you are not wrong, but they can change registration at any time, then vote 30 seconds later. Then change back at any time.

[Tesha]

7. No I am not wrong.

For voters who had previously declared a party affiliation, the
deadline to change parties (or to change to Undeclared)
was the end of October. After that, Republicans were locked-in
to taking a Republican ballot today. Many people found this out
the hard today when they were denied the opportunity to take a
Democratic ballot.

Tesha

[Doctor_J]

8. THey can here in IL

when you walk in you just ask for whatever ballot you want.