The Michigan Primary is open. Reports that it is closed are Republican misinformation

[grantcart]

Washington Post called the Republican Party and they said it was closed, it is not

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/post/michigan-primary-democratic-mischief/2012/02/15/gIQA2zQuHR_blog.html

A colleague called the Republican National Committee the other day and was told by a spokesman there that it was closed.

Then a longtime state GOP official said no, it ‘s “semi-closed.” That means it’s pretty much open.

Here’s how it works: voters walk into the polls and are asked to declare whether they want a Democratic ballot or a Republican ballot. They can pick either and then vote.

Now, under a new state rule, your choice will be record ed and public information — and could subject you to annoying robo-calls, vendor solicitations and such. Also, you’d have some explaining to do if you run for office in the future. But that’s about it.

Other sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Republican_primary,_2012

http://www.fairvote.org/congressional-and-presidential-primaries-open-closed-semi-closed-and-top-two



The Democratic Party is urging people to vote in the Republican Primary

http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/02/michigan-dems-make-mischief-in-gop-primary-115235.html

Via Aaron Blake, Michigan Democrats sent out an email urging supporters to go out and vote next Tuesday ... in Michigan's Republican primary.

The Michigan primary is open, meaning Democrats and independents can vote in it, and many political watchers have assumed the Democratic Party might make such a play in a bid to impact the outcome, and keep the race churning forward.

That's what happened in the 2000 Republican primary in Michigan, when John McCain won over eventual nominee George W. Bush.

In 1991 'closed' primary found to be unconstitutional in Michigan (page 15)

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MichPresPrimRefGuide_20863_7.pdf

In 1991, Zolton Ferency filed suit asserting that the provisions of the 1988 law which reestablished the presidential primary were unconstitutional. The Circuit Court agreed with Mr. Ferency that the conduct of the primary as a “closed” primary would be unconstitutional. Additionally, the trial court also declared the provisions of law which required voters to restrict

From Daily Kos

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/17/1065766/-Michigan-open-primary-and-Romney-s-independent-support


Michigan is effectively an open primary and is open to Republicans as well as independents and Democrats who choose a Republican ballot at their polling place. (Fun fact: Michigan labels its primary a “closed” event, but this just refers to the fact that voters can’t participate in both Republican and Democratic events).
Independent turnout could be boosted or depressed by changes since 2008. The absence of a Democratic contest could lead to higher independent participation in the GOP primary. But new voting disclosure rules could make voters leery of casting a ballot. In compliance with a 2008 lawsuit, the secretary of state will make voters’ party preference in the primary public after the election (see page 15 here [.pdf]).

[MarianJack]

1. Here's Hoping that we Dems...

...put little ricky santorum in the driver's seat for a "come from behind" victory.

I want to see that little shit and his bagger/fundie base humiliated coast to coast with an Obama victory that holds to about 43% of the popular vote and under 100 electoral votes.

Please God, PLEASE!

PEACE!

[grantcart]

2. Its not even about voting for Santorum but handing Romney a critical defeat.

Even if Romney becomes the nominee the loss of MI primary will have a big impact on the media.

[MarianJack]

3. True Dat!

I used to live in PA however and I've detested little ricky santorum for almost 20 years. For me it's personal.

Handing bain romney a loss in one of his many back yards is also a nice bonus!

PEACE!

[Bozita]

6. +1 ... No shit!

[grantcart]

4. kicking for the sake of accurate information

[bringthetroopshome]

5. You are correct (Response from a Blue Republican)

Yep you are right grantcart. I've been lurking on this site for a while and just had the courage to register and start posting recently because I wanted to correct some of this misinformation.

A few things to know about the Michigan Primary. There are a group of us voters who generally vote for democrats or third party candidates who have decided that the best way to make an effect in the Republican Primary would be to vote for Dr. Ron Paul. We refer to ourselves as Blue Republicans and many of us plan on still voting for Obama in the general election but others may continue supporting Libertarians or other parties as well. Despite what the main stream media would have you believe, Ron Paul currently is in second place in terms of delegates which is the way the nominee will be determined. Voting for Ron Paul will have the effect of Eroding support for the other three horrible candidates running for the GOP nomination, bolstering the Libertarian influences in the Republican party, and perhaps nominating a GOP candidate that wants to do the following.

* Immediately end the wars
* End the unjust war on drugs
* End the inflation tax caused by the conclusion between the Federal Reserve, government, and the big banks
* Actually cause Guantanamo and stop the practice of torture by the US military and law enforcement
* Defend our liberties against unconstitutional trends like the Patriot Act and the latest NDAA

To me, a Republican candidate doesn't get any better than this so this is our chance to really make a difference in terms of the two party system.

[Motown_Johnny]

8. Welcome to DU, and please vote for Santorum

Ron Paul has no chance what so ever of winning here. He really has no chance of winning anywhere. His delegate lead is a mirage. It won't hold up since the early caucuses he focused on are now over. The (R) also have their own version of super delegates this time around and they will go for Rmoney unless they are given another viable choice.

The best thing that can happen to Ron Paul is for Rmoney to lose MI so that the race is wide open going into super Tuesday. If Mitt regains his air of inevitability then many (R) voters will fall in line and help him win. Once Mitt has enough delegates he will run away from Paul and back to the center as quickly as he can. Think strategically and please vote for Santorum. I am.

[grantcart]

13. welcome to DU

You might consider not voting for Paul but voting to humiliate Romney, in which case you would mark your ballot for Santorum.

[demmiblue]

14. Another Paulbot bites the dust!

to the MIRT

[Motown_Johnny]

7. I'm pretty sure everyone in MI knows it is open

and if they don't then odds are they wouldn't turn out to vote anyways

[Denninmi]

9. Even if it's not, I don't see a problem.

If the right wing idiot machine wants to have my name as one of their votes, and waste resources accordingly on me during the upcoming campaign, I see that as yet another win -- its time and money they won't spend trying influence someone who might actually fall for their lies.

Yes, I've concluded Santorum will make the best malicious vote on Tuesday.

[hayrow1]

10. Michigan Americans....As a neighbor, Please vote for Santorum

I need you to help me cast at least one serious anti-Romney vote that could matter on April 3 in Wisconsin, in our completely open primary. Wisconsin needs Romney campaign money and more Repuke division to assist us in November.

[corkhead]

11. They must have made the required declaration change during a previous election cycle

I am getting all kinds of annoying robocalls I attribute to my previous primary mischief. I have stopped answering my phone.


A minor annoyance. I enthusiastically plan to be there bright and early Tuesday to make my frothy choice.

[grantcart]

12. That's correct, and thank you for giving Romney a black eye