According to this story, the government of South Carolina probably won’t pay for any presidential primaries in 2012. In any event, the Democratic Party wasn’t planning one, so the story focuses on the Republican Party. The Republican Party says if the state won’t pay for it, the party will. This is why the Republican Party charges a filing fee of $35,000 for presidential candidates.
Ironically, under South Carolina election law, even if the Republican Party pays for its own presidential primary, it is forced to let all registered voters participate in its primary, whether they consider themselves Republicans or not. Thanks to Political Wire for the link.
MR WINGER,WPOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR A THRD TIER GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO GET ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY BALLOT WITHOUT PAYING THE FEE> IS SO PLEASE EXPLAIN
Sadly, this is a return to the past. A long time ago, the US Supreme Court ruled that Presidential primaries were to be open to voters of all races. In response, SC made Presidential primaries party business. Back in 2000, a lawsuit tried to force the Republican party to open all the polling places. Only 1/5 were opened- and even then some did not have a 24 hour notice. (Incidentally, two candidates, namely McCain and Keyes, called for an investigation of the closings, saying they violated federal law.)
It was not until 2008 that both parties tried to open all the SC polling places.
Orville,
What sad? Let the parties do what they want. More importantly though make sure they pay for it themselves in its entirety and not at the expense of the indpendents and other third party supporters. If they want to be a “Republican” let them pay dues which will support their political activities.
DOES ONE HAVE TO PAY THE FEE TO OBTAIN BALLOT STATUS OR IS THERE ANOTHER ROUTE.?IF PRIMARY FEES ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL, how does one get around them?