So today is primary day in Maine. We have approximately 23 people :fnord: running for Governor this year. There is one guy I really, really want to win the Democrat nomination, and ultimately, the Governorship itself. But, in order for me to be able to vote for him today, I would have to register as a Democrat. I've been a Independent ever since I could vote and always maintained that I would stay an independent. But, it is tempting to give in and register just so I can cast a vote for the guy.
Dunno what I want to do about this......
What do you think internet spags?
Independents can't vote in primaries at all in ME?
Quote from: 6 Feet of Sole on June 08, 2010, 01:41:13 PM
So today is primary day in Maine. We have approximately 23 people :fnord: running for Governor this year. There is one guy I really, really want to win the Democrat nomination, and ultimately, the Governorship itself. But, in order for me to be able to vote for him today, I would have to register as a Democrat. I've been a Independent ever since I could vote and always maintained that I would stay an independent. But, it is tempting to give in and register just so I can cast a vote for the guy.
Dunno what I want to do about this......
What do you think internet spags?
Change your party again after the election
Quote from: LMNO on June 08, 2010, 01:44:31 PM
Independents can't vote in primaries at all in ME?
I'm guessing Independents can't vote in primaries within a particular party--which is the opposite of here naturally.
Quote from: LMNO on June 08, 2010, 01:44:31 PM
Independents can't vote in primaries at all in ME?
Nope. If I want to vote today, I'd have to register with a party first, and then I can vote in that party's primary. I dunno, I think I might do it. Besides, I've been seriously toying with the idea of running for local government once I finish this grant I'm working on. Might as well establish some party cred now.
That sucks. In MA, you can stay independent, but you have to declare which ballot you want when you get there.
Yeah, and it doesn't make much sense. We supposedly pride ourselves in how independent we are in Maine. Until you want to pick state and national candidates then you have to tow some party's line. But, on the other hand, after the primaries are done, we will still have something like 7 or 8 candidates. We have at least 5 independent or third party candidates running.
Quote from: 6 Feet of Sole on June 08, 2010, 02:10:50 PM
Yeah, and it doesn't make much sense. We supposedly pride ourselves in how independent we are in Maine. Until you want to pick state and national candidates then you have to tow some party's line. But, on the other hand, after the primaries are done, we will still have something like 7 or 8 candidates. We have at least 5 independent or third party candidates running.
How do they usually do?
In RI, if you vote in a primary as an independent you have to register for the party, but then you can just change it back later. People do it all the time.
Quote from: Nephew Twiddleton on June 08, 2010, 02:14:12 PM
Quote from: 6 Feet of Sole on June 08, 2010, 02:10:50 PM
Yeah, and it doesn't make much sense. We supposedly pride ourselves in how independent we are in Maine. Until you want to pick state and national candidates then you have to tow some party's line. But, on the other hand, after the primaries are done, we will still have something like 7 or 8 candidates. We have at least 5 independent or third party candidates running.
How do they usually do?
3rd Party Candidates? I think we've had a few Green party candidates win state legislature seats. Before Gov.
Smeagol Baldacci we did have an independent Governor, Angus King. So, there have been some moderate success stories.
But in this Governor's race, it will pretty much be between the GOP and DEM nominee. If it is Steve Rowe or Libby Mitchess for the DEMs, they should win the election. But if it's one of the other 2 spags, I think the GOP will take the state. But that won't be too bad, the DEMs still control the State House, so a GOP Governor will have very limited power.
I registered as a republican in Maine so I could vote in their primary and try to screw over whoever seems like the worst of a bad bunch.
I don't know much about any of the other candidates, but I'm for damn sure voting for whoever might be able to beat Les Otten in the primary.
by the way, I hate to break the bad news to you, but Les Otten is probably going to have a chance to screw up the whole state the way he screwed up American Ski.
I'm agreeing with the above sentiment. Register for a day, then switch back! The party affiliation isn't as important as who you vote for.
Note: This is why I've been a registered republican for 8 years
Les Otten and Peter Mills are probably in the best positions to beat a DEM nominee. Just because they'll have better name recognition. I'm supporting Rowe. He's a great guy. I've had the pleasure to meet him and chat with him on a few occassions. I've been a little disappointed with his campaign though. His signs have just gone up in the past few days and I haven't seen any TV ads yet. He seems to be running on the strength of his stint as Attorney General and all of the events he's been attending.
Quote from: 6 Feet of Sole on June 08, 2010, 01:41:13 PM
So today is primary day in Maine. We have approximately 23 people :fnord: running for Governor this year. There is one guy I really, really want to win the Democrat nomination, and ultimately, the Governorship itself. But, in order for me to be able to vote for him today, I would have to register as a Democrat. I've been a Independent ever since I could vote and always maintained that I would stay an independent. But, it is tempting to give in and register just so I can cast a vote for the guy.
Dunno what I want to do about this......
What do you think internet spags?
I think they are just another set of labels and should be ignored as needed.
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on June 08, 2010, 02:22:41 PM
by the way, I hate to break the bad news to you, but Les Otten is probably going to have a chance to screw up the whole state the way he screwed up American Ski.
Yes, I think he would be very, very bad for the State. Worse than Baldacci, and THAT is an incredible feat.
I have to check when our primary is, but I don't think there's a lot of gubernatorial candidates because no one in RI wants the fucking job.
Quote from: 6 Feet of Sole on June 08, 2010, 02:24:54 PM
Les Otten and Peter Mills are probably in the best positions to beat a DEM nominee. Just because they'll have better name recognition. I'm supporting Rowe. He's a great guy. I've had the pleasure to meet him and chat with him on a few occassions. I've been a little disappointed with his campaign though. His signs have just gone up in the past few days and I haven't seen any TV ads yet. He seems to be running on the strength of his stint as Attorney General and all of the events he's been attending.
yeah, I'm voting for Peter Mills because I figure he's got the best chance of beating Otten in the primary, although I kind of want to vote for LePage just because I fucking love Mardens so much. As far as the general election, well, I probably won't be here by then and I'm probably going to register in Oregon when I get back there so I can vote against legalizing marijuana and selling it in state-run stores. I mean, I like the pot and all, but I don't want the state to be in control of the price structure.
that said, if I were here I'd probably vote for Mitchell. I like Beardsley too, and he has business relationships that could benefit me personally if he were elected, but his chances of making it out of the primary seem pretty slim.
Bleh, my guy lost. Looks like it will be Mitchell vs. LePage vs. some other 3rd party spags.
I think this pairing gives a 3rd party candidate, like Eliot Cutler, a very good shot at winning. We might be having another Independent Governor next year.