2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumWhy the cosmic primary screw-up in Arizona?
Yes, it affected the Democratic primary vote, but that's not why Arizona screwed up its election. Pretty much everything in Arizona is controlled by Republicans. If there was a reason for the state to mess up a primary election deliberately, it's targeting the Republicans, not the Democrats. The Republican primary is the one that was the focus, if anything was, of the messing around with voter registrations. Also, disenfranchising Democrats and minority voters is a high priority in that state, but not to control primaries. That effort targets general elections, to protect Republicans by having fewer Democratic voters.
Would a better system have changed the percentages in the Democratic races? That's impossible to say, really, but I doubt it would have resulted in any major shift in the percentages for our two candidates. That's my take, and I could be wrong.
Will it be redone? Almost certainly not. The results, in the end, will stand as they are. Any lawsuits over the handling of the election would not be decided until long after the November election. The same applies to any FEC investigation. That won't happen before the November election, and certainly not before our nominating convention.
Will Whitehouse.gov petitions help? Absolutely not. Elections are run by state officials, not the federal government. The White House has no input into how they are done, no matter how screwed up they were.
Does it all matter? It does, but not in this year's Democratic presidential nomination race. Arizona doesn't have a huge delegation to send to the Democratic Convention, so any change in the results would not materially affect the overall delegate count.
What can we do about Arizona elections? Precious little. Unless you are an Arizona resident, there's really nothing you can do to change the political landscape there. If you are an Arizona resident, you can work to elect more Democrats in that state and hope they'll be able to fix the corruption and manipulation that's going on. I hope Arizona Democrats do exactly that. It's the only way things will change.
Fresh_Start
(11,330 posts)to change state government so that the party that benefits by voter suppression does not control the election process.
floriduck
(2,262 posts)those voters who were turned away could possibly have made a difference? And that every citizen should be allowed to vote? Anything less is just a stain on our election process.
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)they would have made a difference by the very fact that they chose to make their voice heard.
The blame lies with Arizona Secretary of State, Michelle Reagan, who made Katherine Harris proud last night. And we thought the butterfly ballot, hanging chads, and the 2000 Florida recount was a cluster fuck.
MineralMan
(146,311 posts)I'm not arguing that Arizona didn't do a poor job with this election, either from incompetence or deliberately. In any election, the outcome could be different with more people voting. But, this election is over, and the results will be what they are. Any changes will have to come for future elections.
Arizona residents should be outraged and take whatever action they can. The rest of us have no say in Arizona, though.
aspirant
(3,533 posts)When will the provisional ballots be counted?
randome
(34,845 posts)If Independents want to start their own party, they should do so. There are enough complaints about the two-party system that a third party would be welcome, I would think.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]
floriduck
(2,262 posts)Independents want to change their party preference. Otherwise, there will only be a two-party system. There were no Independent candidates this cycle. The reason people become Independent is because the two parties offer different candidates from one election cycle to the other. And these people should be able to participate for one side or the other. That is all I am saying.
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)Last edited Wed Mar 23, 2016, 12:09 PM - Edit history (1)
People who feel the need to get angry should make nasty posts about her. The Screwup in Arizona is her fault.
In a state full of success stories, newly-elected Secretary of State Michele Reagan has risen to Arizona's second highest elective office. Through a combination of hard work, commitment to public service and the pioneer spirit; she exemplifies what it means to be an Arizonan.
Moving from the south suburbs of Chicago in 1991, Secretary Reagan adopted Arizona as her second home and opened FASTSIGNS in Phoenix, learning quickly about the issues that face the state's businesses each day. During this time, she gained the respect of customers and local business which led to leadership positions within civic and professional groups. Her steadfast advocacy for small business, community involvement, fiscal conservatism and a desire to do more became the catalyst to run for public office.
Secretary Reagan's illustrious career in public service has spanned more than a decade in both houses of the legislature. Recognized as a tireless champion of small businesses, Ms. Reagan was named Chair of the Commerce Committee in the House, and later, Chair of the Economic Development and Jobs Creation Committee in the Senate.
During her candidacies for office, Secretary Reagan developed a passion for fair, accurate and efficient elections. This passion contributed to the formation of the first Senate Elections Committee, of which she was Chair. During her tenure, she was widely praised for her work to make needed reforms to the state's system of elections, and was encouraged by community advocates, state and local leaders, and the last four Secretaries to run for the state's Chief Election Officer. Ms. Reagan was elected to serve as Arizona's 20th Secretary of State in 2014.
MineralMan
(146,311 posts)needs feedback from angry Arizona voters. Perhaps she'll lose next time she runs.
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)floriduck
(2,262 posts)It appears you are responding to my post. If so, there is no hate from me, just your misplaced assumption. If it was not meant for me, I apologize.
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)I will change it.
It was my response to Mineral Man's post. I think people should recognize who is responsible for the Arizona fiasco
onehandle
(51,122 posts)Where 'independents' and Republicans select our candidates.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)states have to pay for elections, and they often do not put a very high price tag on voting rights
Punkingal
(9,522 posts)I don't say this as a Bernie supporter. I say it as an American citizen. There is no democracy without voting, and that should be more important than anything else. (I don't think Hillary stole Arizona...I think both Democrats were screwed last night and the democrat will be screwed in the GE.)
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Haveadream
(1,630 posts)The take away from the shenanigans of the Republicans in Arizona is that we have all learned that calculated suppression of minority and poor voters is not just for the South anymore. No wonder the States out West are so red! Arizona, like Nevada has a massive population of those voters. The Republicans in charge are doing everything they can to make sure they don't have a voice. This is the State that has a "tent city". They are a disgrace.
I also have an idea for the General Election. Would doing a Dem. registration and provisional ballot voting drive in the poor and minority areas make a discernerable difference in November? Hoping so much to give Dem. voters in Arizona a voice!
MineralMan
(146,311 posts)sure you are registered should be a major effort for Democrats in Arizona, and in many other states where voter suppression is taking place. Arizona is just one example. Its Republicans do not want the mass of Hispanic voters to have any say in Arizona elections, so they try hard to suppress their votes along with the votes of other Democrats.
Similar problems exist in many states. Those states should be investigated by the appropriate federal agencies.
Haveadream
(1,630 posts)for the DNC to earmark monies for state election efforts? (From your original post I'm am surmising not?) Can people contribute to the Arizona Dem. State Party?
See, THIS is where the "establishment" of the Party and contributing to it become so incredibly important! Without organization, resources and infrastructure, we are without power to help the impoverished and disenfranchised. I am truly hoping that new voters come to realize just how important that support is. There are so many minorities who are depending on that help to have any prayer of a voice in their states.
MineralMan
(146,311 posts)However, those funds are limited, and the state parties decide what to do with them. Yes, people can donate to state party organizations, but most people choose to support those in their own states.
The real problem is that elections are the primary responsibility of the states, rather than the federal government. Changing that materially would require a constitutional amendment, which would certainly fail to be ratified by enough states. Elections are one of the states' rights issues that have the strongest support to keep them state functions.
Some changes were made, but only with regard to presidential elections, our only national election, really, and mostly regarding voting rights issues. The federal government has very little recourse it can take in state election oversight, unfortunately. Every other office is a state or local jurisdiction thing. Most states would strongly resist federal control of elections.
Within the states, responsibility for individual elections falls on county officials. There's tons of room for incompetence or meddling by those officials, so that's another area to examine.
And primary elections are even less standardized. They're more of a party function than a government function, really, although the state authorities run the elections in most states. States with caucus systems leave most everything to the parties themselves.
There is no simple solution. It is a matter for all 50 states to deal with. The place for activism is within your own state, really.
Krytan11c
(271 posts)I mailed in my ballot in Arizona and immediately switched my affiliation I. The Democratic Party here too often bends to the will of the pukes, putting up only a token fight.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)lmbradford
(517 posts)Provisional ballots should be counted immediately and added to the total. An injunction by a judge would be helpful, especially since these ballots are mostly legitimate considering the documented screw ups are in the thousands. Counting those ballots would go a long way to correcting the problem.
RandySF
(58,835 posts)It's time local voters started holding them accountable.
MineralMan
(146,311 posts)at all levels. That's where change has to start. Elect new people. That's what voters can do.
aspirant
(3,533 posts)How many poll workers, that turned people away were elected
MineralMan
(146,311 posts)in their county. That clerk is elected.
MineralMan
(146,311 posts)If so, apply to be a poll worker where you live. Someone is going to do that job. Why not you?
tabasco
(22,974 posts)"Fuck it, you fix it, Arizona."
Good thing that's not what LBJ told blacks in Alabama a few decades ago.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Total complacence with the status quo.
think
(11,641 posts)deal...
saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)It's difficult to elect more Democrats in Arizona because the candidates run like Republicans. It is difficult to fund them for the same reasons. The Democratic Party needs to recruit and fund better, more progressive candidates. imo
The Koch brothers (ALEC) are heavily invested in the current bat dodo crazy line up and legislators that work tirelessly to suppress the vote. These bottom feeders know that they benefit when turnout is low or Democratic leaning voters are purged. What Democratic candidate has promised to tackle these thugs if elected?
It is my opinion that the DNC and state party need to change direction. We Democratic voters are operating on yoyo (you're on your own) rules.
If you are an Arizona resident, you can work to elect more Democrats in that state and hope they'll be able to fix the corruption and manipulation that's going on. I hope Arizona Democrats do exactly that. It's the only way things will change.
dbackjon
(6,578 posts)saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)Which election are you referring to, the primaries/or general? Thanks for the detail
dbackjon
(6,578 posts)AG Felecia Rottellini
Super of Schools David Garcia
SOS Terry Goddard is not as progressive as those two, but still left of center.
saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)They need younger, more liberal campaign managers, imo. Of course, that's assuming they(sp) really hold more progressive values than(sp) Republicans, or Mrs. Clinton.
dbackjon
(6,578 posts)The GOP was able to change the state-wide office elections to off-cycle years, knowing that would keep them in power.
JimDandy
(7,318 posts)be given 5 additional days to come back and vote. The same thing can and should be done in this case.