Oregon uses all-postal ballots. On April 8, the Oregon House Rules Committee heard HB 3500, which says that independent voters would automatically receive a primary ballot for all three parties that are entitled to a primary (the Democratic, Republican, and Independent Parties). An independent voter could then choose one of the three primary ballots, vote on it, and return it by postal mail. However, the ballot would not be counted unless that voter signed a statement of affiliation with the party whose ballot had been chosen.
In Oregon, legislative committees don’t generally vote on bills at the hearing. Therefore, the bill has not yet been either advanced or defeated. Here is a news story about the bill.
NO primaries.
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Equal nominatiing petitions.
P.R. and nonpartisan App.V.
Demo Rep you are relentless!
The Donkey/Elephant robot gerrymander HACKS have become the ENEMIES of the People — i.e. puppet tools of the left/right special interest OLIGARCHY gangs.
See some history – 1761-1776 the Brit TYRANTS — part of which was the DARK AGE *rotten boroughs* — SMALL gerrymander districts in the then Brit House of Commons.
Now the robot SCOTUS hacks say they are brain dead ignorant about minority rule math resulting from pack/crack gerrymander districts.
Political *SCIENCE* has advanced since 1776-1789.
The CRISIS is N-O-W.
Quite possible gerrymander Civil WAR II after the Nov. 2016 gerrymander election.
I think your blog entry may confuse.
The bill essentially would permit a non-affiliated voter to affiliate with a major party by casting a ballot (and filling out a form). But that might be confusing to voters, who will likely be given instructions like:
1) A voter may vote any of these (3) ballots.
2) If you vote one of the ballots, be sure to fill out the busywork form.
A better approach would be use a voluntary blanket primary, with a pick-a-party option. As in Alaska, each party could designate who may vote their party ballot.
A party would qualify to have a primary by a substantial deposit/filing fee (say $50,000). This could be discounted based on party registrants and/or an in lieu of petition.
A voter would be sent a ballot with a party column for each party that permits him to vote. In addition, there would be an Open column which would list all candidates, including any independent candidates.
For example:
Independent Party might let anyone vote its primary;
Democratic Party might let Democrats and unaffiliated voters.
Republican Party might let Republicans vote.
Green Party might let Greens, Democrats, Working Family, and unaffiliated vote.
Independents would have an Independent an Open column.
Democrats would have a Democratic, Independent, Green, and Open columns.
Republicans would have a Republican, Independent, and Open columns.
Greens would have Green, Independent and Open Columns.
Working Family would have Green, Independent, and Open Columns.
nonaffiliated would have Democratic. Independent, Green and Open Columns.
other parties would have Independent and Open column.
A voter would mark the column of the primary he wished to vote in.
A party’s nominees would be placed on the general election ballot if 1% of primary voters selected their ballot. Qualifying parties would receive $50,000.
Qualification could be obtained on a statewide, congressional district, legislative district, or countywide basis. Congressional district or legislative district qualification would be for that district only and for that election only. Countywide qualification would be for all offices entirely in the county. Statewide qualification would qualify all nominees. Qualification would be for that general election only.
If a voter voted out of his selected column, the vote would be treated as if it were in the Open column. If a voter failed to select a party column, his topmost office selection would be considered his party choice.
Parties could set the criteria for ballot qualification, which might include affiliation for a period of no more than one year; a filing fee with a maximum amount set by state law; or a petition with the party designating the pool of potential signers.
Candidates who receive the most votes in their party column would be placed on the general election ballot, if the party qualifies. Candidates who received 1% of the total vote for the office would also qualify for the general election ballot.
Candidates who had sought party nomination(s) and failed to receive any, would be permitted to withdraw. Party nominees and independent candidates who qualified could not withdraw. If a candidate dies before the general election, a special election would be held.
50% support in the general election would be required, with a runoff held if necessary.