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Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 03:30 PM Mar 2020

Shorten the primary process, and let every voter actually cast a meaningful vote.

There is no reason for such a long process. Yes, the US media loves it, and they receive billions in revenue, but there is no logical reason that the US primary process could not be shortened to a 6 week process.

That way, with 6 separate, multiple state voting days, every voter would feel that their vote actually counted.

Instead, we have clusters of candidates crowding restaurants and diners in Iowa and New Hampshire, all competing for the few thousands of voters in these small, white, mainly rural states.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
40 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Shorten the primary process, and let every voter actually cast a meaningful vote. (Original Post) guillaumeb Mar 2020 OP
Now all you need to do is convince 50+ states and territories to go along with it. TwilightZone Mar 2020 #1
Would have to agree. LiberalFighter Mar 2020 #2
Or have them all the same day. TwilightZone Mar 2020 #4
But as you indicated... get all 50 states and territories to buy in LiberalFighter Mar 2020 #6
Yep. TwilightZone Mar 2020 #8
The voters would decide. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #15
No, the voters wouldn't decide. The voters in a few states would. TwilightZone Mar 2020 #21
As opposed to ignoring all of the states that vote after Super Tuesday? guillaumeb Mar 2020 #24
Same thing. TwilightZone Mar 2020 #33
Not if the process balances the voters to allow for more participation, and earlier. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #14
I agree there's a problem with our system PJMcK Mar 2020 #3
I just recommended your excellent post. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #16
Well, thank you PJMcK Mar 2020 #23
No. I would rather listen to a chainsaw running. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #26
The other problem is that if everyone got to vote, ProfessorPlum Mar 2020 #5
Or maybe voters voted. TwilightZone Mar 2020 #9
I disagree, in part. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #17
Strongly disagree - rule by emotion cripples judgment bucolic_frolic Mar 2020 #7
Most countries have a much shorter process. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #18
If that were the case customerserviceguy Mar 2020 #10
For the millionth time...NO brooklynite Mar 2020 #11
This process effectively disenfranchises millions of voters. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #19
You're not "enfranchised" to begin with Codeine Mar 2020 #20
All who vote can be. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #25
Your solution doesn't solve the problem. TwilightZone Mar 2020 #22
Would never fly Demguy81 Mar 2020 #12
I agree with this 100% mcar Mar 2020 #13
One country , one voting day. Blues Heron Mar 2020 #27
We're not electing anyone in the primaries. stopbush Mar 2020 #29
oh i thought we were. lol are u for real? Blues Heron Mar 2020 #32
You don't understand political parties or the primary process. stopbush Mar 2020 #34
That would also work. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #30
Nope. That would make things worse. stopbush Mar 2020 #28
It would accelerate the process. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #31
Oh so now we need to change everything for Sanders...wont happen. Elections are state Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #35
No, we need to do it so every voter can vote, instead of many voters this year having guillaumeb Mar 2020 #37
Two rounds of primary voting. Yavin4 Mar 2020 #36
That is an interesting suggestion. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #38
How about 3 weeks of voting marlakay Mar 2020 #39
That might work as well. guillaumeb Mar 2020 #40
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
1. Now all you need to do is convince 50+ states and territories to go along with it.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 03:36 PM
Mar 2020

Have at it.

"That way, with 6 separate, multiple state voting days, every voter would feel that their vote actually counted. "

No, the nomination process would likely be over most cycles well before the sixth week.

We'd be at roughly week 3 in your scenario, and it's clearly over. Same problem we have now, just condensed.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

LiberalFighter

(53,475 posts)
2. Would have to agree.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 03:45 PM
Mar 2020

The only way to do it with even the last voters thinking their vote counted would be to keep the results of the primaries secret until the last set of primaries.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
4. Or have them all the same day.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 03:47 PM
Mar 2020

Which would make CA, NY, TX and a few others kingmakers and the rest would be ignored.

On the bright side, it would blunt the importance of IA and NH....

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

LiberalFighter

(53,475 posts)
6. But as you indicated... get all 50 states and territories to buy in
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 03:55 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
8. Yep.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 04:00 PM
Mar 2020

NH even has a state law requiring that it be before "similar contests". The only reason it's not before Iowa is because Iowa's a caucus.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
15. The voters would decide.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 04:59 PM
Mar 2020

And if, as some argue, Iowa and New Hampshire are representative of the country, it would not matter.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
21. No, the voters wouldn't decide. The voters in a few states would.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:34 PM
Mar 2020

Money would be dumped in the states with the most delegates and the rest would be ignored.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
24. As opposed to ignoring all of the states that vote after Super Tuesday?
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:45 PM
Mar 2020

We disagree.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
33. Same thing.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 08:09 PM
Mar 2020

Ignoring three weeks out of six in your scenario is exactly the same thing.

Why you continue to insist otherwise is beyond my understanding. You are proposing exactly what we already do. I can only guess that you're being intentionally obtuse, like your knowingly false claim that Hillary Clinton didn't drop out before the convention in 2008.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
14. Not if the process balances the voters to allow for more participation, and earlier.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 04:58 PM
Mar 2020

And the process would last at least 5 weeks in my view. As it is, a fraction of the voters decides for everyone.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

PJMcK

(22,889 posts)
3. I agree there's a problem with our system
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 03:45 PM
Mar 2020

Consider that the presidential campaign usually now begins the day after inauguration. It's ridiculous and it detracts significantly from the goal of governing.

Trump has been on the campaign trail since his inauguration. So have many of the Democrats.

I posted some thoughts along those lines the other day:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287653097

If our democratic republic survives, we have a lot of fixing' to do.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
16. I just recommended your excellent post.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:00 PM
Mar 2020

The process needs to be amended.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

PJMcK

(22,889 posts)
23. Well, thank you
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:54 PM
Mar 2020

I really don't know if my idea could work. Nonetheless, I think that on this issue, you and I are in agreement.

Gonna listen to Trump tonight?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
26. No. I would rather listen to a chainsaw running.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:47 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

ProfessorPlum

(11,365 posts)
5. The other problem is that if everyone got to vote,
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 03:55 PM
Mar 2020

the voters might expect to have their choice honored.

Instead, the process is a way for the party leaders to put their fingers in the wind and then start deciding who needs to get the spoils for the candidate they have picked out.

At least, it certainly seems that way this year.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
9. Or maybe voters voted.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 04:01 PM
Mar 2020

Huh, what a concept.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
17. I disagree, in part.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:02 PM
Mar 2020

Yes, voters can, and might, listen to other politicians, but a very short process would mean that candidates would address the entirety of the country, rural as well as urban.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

bucolic_frolic

(47,018 posts)
7. Strongly disagree - rule by emotion cripples judgment
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 03:57 PM
Mar 2020

Candidates need to be tested over time to see how they respond to issues, debates, public opinion, and current emerging events. All you get with a short primary is a rush to judgment and decision by a snapshot of emotion. I even think this year's primary season is far too short.

A short quick primary judgment brought the GOP Donald Trump in 2016. Trump just mowed them down in quick debates and picked off each one with a nasty name and put down. Carly, Ted, Jeb. They weren't tested because there wasn't time, and Trump wasn't tested because no one, including the media, pushed back.

Elections aren't a game show to be over in 30 minutes. They are are a measure of character, competence, reasoning, and personality. A quick courtship doesn't make a sound marriage any more than a shotgun wedding. Elections are no different.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
18. Most countries have a much shorter process.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:03 PM
Mar 2020

And the GOP process in 2016 certainly refutes your premise.

6 weeks is sufficient time to allow for debates.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

customerserviceguy

(25,185 posts)
10. If that were the case
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 04:07 PM
Mar 2020

the winner would be whoever has the greatest name recognition. You'd never have a Pete Buttigieg putting his intellect on display, you can kiss the Amy Klobuchars of the nation goodbye.

The current system is far from perfect, but with over four decades of use, there are strategies for a relative unknown candidate to work with it and have a fair shot at the brass ring.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

brooklynite

(96,882 posts)
11. For the millionth time...NO
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 04:09 PM
Mar 2020

A short campaign season and large regional primaries will give a huge advantage to well known candidates with the ability to raise large amounts of money, and will limit the ability to see candidates except on TV.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
19. This process effectively disenfranchises millions of voters.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:05 PM
Mar 2020

And it must be changed.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Codeine

(25,586 posts)
20. You're not "enfranchised" to begin with
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:25 PM
Mar 2020

when it comes to primary elections.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
25. All who vote can be.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:46 PM
Mar 2020

As it is now, voters in Iowa have far more voice than their millions of neighbors in Illinois and all of the other states that vote after Super Tuesday.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
22. Your solution doesn't solve the problem.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:35 PM
Mar 2020

It has the same flaws as the current system, just condensed into six weeks.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demguy81

(93 posts)
12. Would never fly
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 04:15 PM
Mar 2020

But I would prefer a national primary on one day, top 2 advance to a runoff the next week if no one goes above 50.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

mcar

(43,512 posts)
13. I agree with this 100%
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 04:18 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Blues Heron

(6,134 posts)
27. One country , one voting day.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:51 PM
Mar 2020

we're not electing governors here, its the president of the country. We need more equality here.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

stopbush

(24,630 posts)
29. We're not electing anyone in the primaries.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:52 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Blues Heron

(6,134 posts)
32. oh i thought we were. lol are u for real?
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:56 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

stopbush

(24,630 posts)
34. You don't understand political parties or the primary process.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 09:00 PM
Mar 2020

All you are doing when you vote in a primary is to express your preference for a candidate. The political parties set the rules for how they pick their candidates (see California v Jones). It’s entirely within their power and their rights to reject the preferences of primary voters and select their own candidate. Hubert Humphrey didn’t run in a single primary but he was elected as the nominee for POTUS on the Dem ticket at the 1968 convention, even though 80% of the primary votes went to anti-war candidates.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
30. That would also work.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:54 PM
Mar 2020

And no state would have more advantage simply by having the earliest primary.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

stopbush

(24,630 posts)
28. Nope. That would make things worse.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:51 PM
Mar 2020

For example, if Sanders had won a few states and kept pace with Biden, a longer primary season would give the candidates time to fight it out.

But Sanders isn’t winning votes. So, moot point.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
31. It would accelerate the process.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:55 PM
Mar 2020

Any candidate would still need a majority of the delegates.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(71,023 posts)
35. Oh so now we need to change everything for Sanders...wont happen. Elections are state
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 09:18 PM
Mar 2020

matters.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
37. No, we need to do it so every voter can vote, instead of many voters this year having
Thu Mar 12, 2020, 10:38 AM
Mar 2020

no chance to vote for their preferred candidate.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Yavin4

(36,399 posts)
36. Two rounds of primary voting.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 09:22 PM
Mar 2020

First round, 4 regional primaries, East, West, North, and South. Candidates can only enter one region. Month long voting in each region. Top two finishers in each region go on to the national primary.

Three months of national campaigns and debates. Finally, one national primary with month long voting. Top finisher gets the nomination. In case of ties, then it goes to the convention. Delegates and Super Delegates decide.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
38. That is an interesting suggestion.
Thu Mar 12, 2020, 10:39 AM
Mar 2020

The revenue hungry media would not like it, but it would allow every voter to feel that they had a voice in the process.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

marlakay

(12,205 posts)
39. How about 3 weeks of voting
Thu Mar 12, 2020, 11:56 AM
Mar 2020

Week one all the states with the lowest delegates
Week two all the states with the mid range delegates
Week three all the states with highest amount

That way all the money won’t go to the highest and it might even last all three weeks.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
40. That might work as well.
Thu Mar 12, 2020, 06:12 PM
Mar 2020

And candidates would have no reason to drop out.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
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