Primary Date: April 22nd
Democratic & Republican Party Primary
Type: Closed Primary
Voter Registration Deadline: Must be registered to vote 30 days prior to the election.
Important Note: You must declare your membership in either the Democratic or Republican Party to be able to vote on April 22nd.
The state of Pennsylvania votes this year in one of the most decisive primary elections in a generation. In what is call a ‘closed primary’, Pennsylvania has set up rules that allow only those voters who have registered as either a Democrat or Republican to vote in the year’s primary.
The 2008 nominating process no longer hinges on Iowa and New Hampshire, as so many elections have in the past. Instead, this election has been about Super Tuesday and the states that follow. And Pennsylvania now has the opportunity to decide who the nominee will be in the Democratic Party.
In light of this, I feel it is necessary to share a quick history and voter’s guide to the most salient questions I’ve been asked about Pennsylvania. A political professional for nearly 10 years, I hope that this guide helps to answer all of your questions. If you have further ones, feel free to leave a comment.
Can I vote in the Pennsylvania Primary?
Only if you meet the following conditions:
1). You are registered to vote before March 22nd 2008
2). You are registered as either a Democrat or Republican.
Can Independents or the Unaffiliated vote in the Pennsylvania Primary?
No.
Why can’t Independents vote in the Pennsylvania Primary?
The State of Pennsylvania votes in what is known as a ‘closed primary’. This means that as unless you are a registered Democrat or Republican, you will not be allowed to vote this year.
Closed primaries are a unique example of a political party’s interest in keeping active participation in the party going strong.
Unfortunately, this type of primary traditionally has lower turnout since only those who are officially declared as a member of a party are permitted to vote. Furthermore, many Independents find this system to be a disincentive to pay attention to the primary elections and therefore pay little mind to the race until the General Election.
I’m an Independent, but I want to vote in the Pennsylvania Primary. What can I do?
You must declare as either Democrat or Republican prior to the March 22nd deadline. Details can be located at the Pennsylvania Department of State at http://www.votespa.com.
Please note: You may, at any time following the election, re-register as an Unenrolled or Unaffiliated voter.
Does the Pennsylvania Primary matter?
I don’t think I have to tell you that it matters a great deal – especially if you have been watching the news lately. When a presidential primary comes to a state like Pennsylvania and the voting will still determine the outcome, it is a rare opportunity for voters to have their voices heard nationally.
If you are a Democrat, your vote will contribute to your candidate’s delegate total when it comes to convention time. Even if your candidate doesn’t win Pennsylvania, the better he or she does, the more delegates he or she will have to potentially be the nominee.
If you’re an Independent voter, and you want to take the plunge by registered as a Democrat, you should feel that this is great opportunity. Independents are widely known to be the heartbeat of the voting public whose opinions are frequently the basis for the ‘mandate’ that new presidents talk about during their first days. There should be no doubt that the candidates want your vote more than anything else. If you help in choosing either of the nominees, you’ll help shape the next 4 years of public policy.
What resources are out there for me?
I’m afraid that not many will go this length in explaining the logic of the primary system to you, but I will point you in the right direction for better details on what to expect on Election Day.
Pennsylvania Department of State
Blogs:
