On November 22, the South Carolina Supreme Court issued an opinion in Beaufort County v South Carolina Election Commission, 27069. The 3-judge majority interpreted the state law to mean that the counties must pay for some of the election administration costs for the Republican presidential primary. Two judges dissented. Here is the opinion.
Shouldn’t the Republicans pay for all of the costs for their own primary?
I would certainly agree with #1 especially if only registered Republicans can participate in the primary.
#2 Good distinction, but even if it was an open primary I’d be reluctant to let all tax payers pick up the tab. I say “pay to play”. Voters need to put their money where their mouth is if they are “Republican” or “Democrat”.
Voters should never be forced to pay to pick their representatives. In many states, and I think South Carolina is probably one of them, their are not too many competitive elections in November. Because of gerrymandering etc, the real elections occur in the primary. I realize this ruling is specifically for the presidential primary, but it would set a terrible (and probably unconstitutional) precedent if any voter were forced to pay to pick their representatives.
#4… in my state (PA) I do not choose to register in any party. As a consequence I am NOT permitted to vote in either major party primary. As a taxpayer I still have to PAY for them but I cannot participate. How is that fair?