For someone that might be thinking of changing their voter registration to "Independent"...?

[kentuck]

...what would be the pluses and minuses?

Can we assume that every Democrat is as loyal to the Party as members of DU?

Personally, I think we need a coalition of "Independents" and "Democrats" in order to represent the people against this oligarchic thirst for power. Neither group or "Party" is strong enough to make it on its own.

We must unite.

[Not Ruth]

1. It is a state issue

Some states let independents vote in primaries.

[TexasProgresive]

2. Since 22 states don't allow for party registration - that leaves a lot out.

[NCTraveler]

3. People need to pay attention to how their state does things.

They also have to stay up to date as the rules change regularly.

I switched from NPA to Democratic Party for a long time. In FL you have to be a member of the party to vote in the primaries. It’s been very easy to switch back and forth in FL for a long time now. I never had an issue. These days I stay registered under the Democratic Party. It just makes it easier.

I stayed NPA because I never wanted a party to think they had my vote. Under the current platform and with all of the progressives out there doing a good job of fighting I’ve decided to let them know they do have my vote. Straight D with no omissions. I reserve the right to change at any time.

https://www.leahy.senate.gov/about

I believe if the first sentence at that link weren’t accurate then uniting would be much easier.

Which ones do you target?

[mercuryblues]

4. Some states do not allow

I's to vote in primaries. This was a big source of contention for Bernie supporters in states that did not allow for I's to vote in primaries.

The myth of the Independent voter

29% - D; 26-R and 42-I

Out of the I's 16% lean D and 14% lean R. Leaving the real I voters at 12% - that percentage is what the politicians fight for and to peel off some of those who lean R or D. In 2012 60% of those who lean D voted for Obama and 78% of those who lean R voted for Romney.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/01/11/independents-outnumber-democrats-and-republicans-but-theyre-not-very-independent/?utm_term=.c050160192b2

[Amimnoch]

5. Independent, Undeclared, Democratic Party, Republican Party.

It's very much a states issue on what the pluses and minuses are.

In some states, the only way to vote in any primary is to be a member of the party (closed Primary).

In other states, If you are registered Democrat or Republican is the only way you can vote in the primary, and you must vote in the party which you are resistered.

In yet others, Independents can't vote, but undeclared can vote in either primary.

In some states anyone can vote in any primary regardless of declared affiliation (open primary). My state of Texas falls into this particular category. I'm a registered Democrat, but in the primaries I can vote in the Republican primary if I want. However, you are limited to voting in only 1 of the primaries, so I couldn't vote in Republican primary then go into the Democratic party primary line.

[bluepen]

6. Glad to be in a state where we dont register by party.

[TreasonousBastard]

7. The only plus I see is getting less campaign crap in the mail and fewer phone calls...

I'm on the county Dem committee and most towns have around 30% "no party" or a minor party. Conservative and Working Families parties are as you would expect, but Green and Independence parties are anyone's guess from election to election. A few other parties show up from time to time if they can get enough petition signatures, and the trick is to get on as many lines as possible.

Once, Working Families actually had a primary, and the county had to pay for a special primary election. With two or three WF voters in a district, if that many, poll workers were setting up pools to see who would show up.

In NY, you have to register in a party to vote in a primary, so more independents mean fewer people decide who runs. Whether that's a good or bad thing can be argued.

And, yes, we do do outreach to "undecideds". Many Republican and "no party" registrations are for economic reasons-- your job or client relations may depend on how you register.

[samnsara]

8. we dont register in my state... and whats the benefit of...

...declaring? I was an Indy until I realized my vote counted.

I had a bunch of friends vote Independent when Nader ran and essentially fucked it up for our Country...my friends vowed they would never vote Indy again when its a Pres election.

Their Indy vote gave us Bush...and the Iraq war...

When Newt had his contract on America I vowed I would always vote D from then on even if mickey mouse was our candidate. ( however not so blindly loyal I would allow a trump type to take over our party).

So I guess everyone has to make that decision for themselves.

...and if any of the past D candidates decide to go I...really, really think about it. Historically I's rarely win.. they just split the votes.