Can Registered Republican Vote Democrat In Sc

GREENVILLE, Southward.C. – At least two Republican groups in South Carolina are organizing efforts to skew South Carolina'southward Autonomous presidential primary to make a point and to help reelect President Donald Trump.

They are urging loyal Republicans to vote in the Democratic main Feb. 29 for candidates perceived to exist weak in opposition to Trump – for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in 1 instance and for "the worst Democrat" in another, dubbed "Operation Chaos."

Since Due south Carolina has open primaries where voters practise not take to register past political party, voters can bandage ballots in either race.

Iowa Democratic caucuses:Who won and when nosotros will we find out? Unanswered questions linger

Changing that to create closed primaries requiring party registration has been a goal of some conservatives. And since the state'due south Republican presidential primary was canceled this year with Trump running for reelection, this year'due south Democratic main provides opportunity both to assist Trump by influencing the choice of his opponent and to brand the case for endmost primaries past casting meddlesome ballots.

"Rules are rules, and fair is fair," said Karen Martin, a Spartanburg Tea Party official who helped set up a Facebook page promoting the effort for Republicans to vote for Sanders.

Martin said she sees the effort as payback for years of Democrats voting in Republican primaries.

"What if we got enough people to experience the pain we've been feeling?" she asked.

Discussions nigh organizing the effort began in the summertime and went alive Tuesday with social media, Martin said.

She said a Sanders win in S Carolina would peculiarly hurt quondam Vice President Joe Biden and lead to a clear contrast between the agendas of Sanders and Trump, a development she feels would do good Trump.

A campaign spokesperson for Sanders didn't immediately respond to a message from the Greenville News, role of the USA TODAY Network.

Country of the Union:President Trump stretched and distorted facts virtually economic system, jobs

With no Republican primary, GOP supporters are free to vote for 'anarchy'

With no Republican presidential primary this year, Republicans are free to brand what political scientists call negative strategic votes for Democrats without having to cede the adventure to vote for their own party.

Voters tin can cast ballots in only one primary per election, but they can vote however they choose in general elections despite the primary they cull.

The only cost for Republicans who are so inclined to instigate "chaos?" They'll get on a Democratic mailing list.

And, indeed, they could be a factor in the main, said David Woodard, a Clemson Academy professor who has consulted with Republicans for decades.

Republicans who otherwise wouldn't want to interrupt their Republican voting record could really brag near crossing over this year, Woodard said. And fueled by impeachment and memories of Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Republicans volition be highly motivated this year, Woodard said.

Statewide, the Republican turnout of 740,881 voters in the 2016 presidential primary was almost exactly twice the turnout of the Democratic chief.

Tradition of crossover voting in S Carolina: 'Information technology used to be chosen mischief'

"It used to be called mischief voting," said Woodard, who described a tradition of voters casting inauspicious ballots for opposing parties.

There were such George McGovern crossover voters in 1972, Woodard said.

And Woodard said some GOP consultants suggested in 2000 that votes for John McCain were coming from Democrats.

Such organized crossover efforts were promoted in 2008 by syndicated radio show host Blitz Limbaugh.

In 2016, co-ordinate to Woodard, there was a small endeavor among Democrats to vote for Trump in the Republican primary because they idea he would be an easier opponent to beat in the general election.

'Pelosi disgraced herself':GOP outraged by Pelosi ripping up Trump State of the Union speech

Build the wall? Travel ban? Taxation cuts?After Trump'south Country of the Matrimony, hither'south where he stands on promises

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/05/south-carolina-democratic-primary-date-february-29-republican-voters/4665916002/

Posted by: cartwrightlitend47.blogspot.com

Share this post