NationStates Jolt Archive

I understand that in USA, people who meet the qualification for voting (ie over 18, American citizen etc) are not automatically registered to vote - they have to "opt-in" by actively registering themselves to vote. Without doing this, they can't vote in elections. Secondly, on performing this registration, they have to register their political affiliation.

To me this seems a bit strange. How does this help democracy? It sounds like an active hurdle to participation in the democratic process.

Perhaps some Americans and others would like to comment on how they see this system. And, is this "opt-in" system of voter registration used anywhere else?

It's undemocratic. Just like the electoral college. But the GREAT American system is so wonderful, that it can be exported to other countries all over the world. Rejoice in orgasmic ecstasy as the Americans spread their corrupt and faulty system like a cancer to destroy democracy as it was once known - the rule of the people, replaced with the rule of the few, ultra-rich. Welcome to the new American Century of Quasi-Democratic Imperialistic Oligarchy.

I am your king!


Well I didn't vote for you!

Nobody's system is perfect. And ours is more of a representative republic than a democracy anyway, but very few in America realize that. It's quite sad.

Not all Americans want to spread "democracy" like herpes around the world. Just wait until after the elections, hopefully george won't have a job.

So. What's the big dea?

You've never voted, have you.

Well we have opt in voting, and it seems ok to me, but that might be because I am accustomed to it. I do find the whole registering affiliation business strange though. What if you dont have one (an affiliation) and have not decided who to vote for, do you have to just pretend and state a party affilitation at random or are you not allowed to register until you decide?

I can see a few problems with having to register afilliation, but what I cant see is why do it...I mean surely politicians didnt just get up one day and make the rule on a whim....there must be some premise or purpose behind it, so who knows what that is? :confused:

The hurdle is about 2 inches big. Registering to vote (especially since '96) is a quite easy task. Why should people that don't want to register be forced to?

You don't need to choose a political party

I understand that in USA, people who meet the qualification for voting (ie over 18, American citizen etc) are not automatically registered to vote - they have to "opt-in" by actively registering themselves to vote. Without doing this, they can't vote in elections. Secondly, on performing this registration, they have to register their political affiliation.

To me this seems a bit strange. How does this help democracy? It sounds like an active hurdle to participation in the democratic process.

Perhaps some Americans and others would like to comment on how they see this system. And, is this "opt-in" system of voter registration used anywhere else?
On every registration form, there is the option of not joining a political party. That's really what they are asking you: whether or not you want to join a party, and if so, which one. The reason why they do this is to determine who can vote in party primaries.

On every registration form, there is the option of not joining a political party. That's really what they are asking you: whether or not you want to join a party, and if so, which one. The reason why they do this is to determine who can vote in party primaries.

But surely that should be kept completely separate from the authorities. That's fine if somebody wants to join a political party, but it should be the political party that they approach for membership, not their local electoral authority?
What options for party membership are there on these forms? Just Democratic and Republican? Or all parties? If it's just D. and R. or even a wider, but not exclusive, selection of parties, it would seem a bit biased towards these parties.

The hurdle is about 2 inches big. Registering to vote (especially since '96) is a quite easy task. Why should people that don't want to register be forced to?

People here aren't forced to vote. But you don't have to opt-in, it's automatic - if you meet the criteria (i.e. you are over 18 etc), you receive a voting card. There's nothing to stop you throwing it straight in the rubbish of course.

The authorities that administer the voting records don't ask you to register a political party, as this is nothing to do with the authorities in my opinion. They should be apolitical. If you want to join a political party, you approach the political party to join it.

But surely that should be kept completely separate from the authorities. That's fine if somebody wants to join a political party, but it should be the political party that they approach for membership, not their local electoral authority?
What options for party membership are there on these forms? Just Democratic and Republican? Or all parties? If it's just D. and R. or even a wider, but not exclusive, selection of parties, it would seem a bit biased towards these parties.Well, there's no question that the system is rigged to favor the two major parties. They've shared power for over 150 years, so it would be surprising if they hadn't hooked themselves up.

The options for political party vary from state to state, but the general options are Democratic, Republican and Independent. In California, you can also register as a member of (I believe) the Green Party, the Peace and Freedom Party, and the Libertarian party. There may be others for all I know.

But surely that should be kept completely separate from the authorities. That's fine if somebody wants to join a political party, but it should be the political party that they approach for membership, not their local electoral authority?
The Democrats and the Republicans use the same polling places, and the same polling machines, that are used in the general elections. So do any other parties. They even hold their primaries on the same day, in lock-step with eachother. During presidential primaries, they even go to the same states at the same time.
What options for party membership are there on these forms? Just Democratic and Republican? Or all parties? If it's just D. and R. or even a wider, but not exclusive, selection of parties, it would seem a bit biased towards these parties.
I looked on a registration form for my school's mock election, which they said were copies of the real ones. There's the Dems and GOP, plus the Greens, Right to Life, Liberal, Conservative, Working Families, and a few others. Of course, it varies from state to state.

Well, there's no question that the system is rigged to favor the two major parties. They've shared power for over 150 years, so it would be surprising if they hadn't hooked themselves up.


There have been two parties since the nation's founding, they just weren't called the Democrats and Republicans. I believe that, instead, voters prefer the efficiency and convinience of two parties. After all, they are generally united enough to stick together.

I understand that in USA, people who meet the qualification for voting (ie over 18, American citizen etc) are not automatically registered to vote - they have to "opt-in" by actively registering themselves to vote. Without doing this, they can't vote in elections. Secondly, on performing this registration, they have to register their political affiliation.

To me this seems a bit strange. How does this help democracy? It sounds like an active hurdle to participation in the democratic process.

Perhaps some Americans and others would like to comment on how they see this system. And, is this "opt-in" system of voter registration used anywhere else?

Having to register to vote and to provide proof of registration to vote aids in preventing people from voting multiple times and under multiple names. Sure it doesn't stop it, but its one more hurdle. And it's not a difficult process. You can do it by mail in most areas.

And for the record, America is a Republic (as are most countries in the world where the government is elected) and not a true democracy. The people do not vote on every law--thank God!

Having to register to vote and to provide proof of registration to vote aids in preventing people from voting multiple times and under multiple names. Sure it doesn't stop it, but its one more hurdle. And it's not a difficult process. You can do it by mail in most areas.

And for the record, America is a Republic (as are most countries in the world where the government is elected) and not a true democracy. The people do not vote on every law--thank God!

Of course you need to have voter registration to stop mulitple voting. However, in most western countries (certainly in Europe), you don't have to opt-in to it, it's automatic. There's still a central list of voting to prevent people from voting more than once or illegally.

I understand that in USA, people who meet the qualification for voting (ie over 18, American citizen etc) are not automatically registered to vote - they have to "opt-in" by actively registering themselves to vote. Without doing this, they can't vote in elections. Secondly, on performing this registration, they have to register their political affiliation.

To me this seems a bit strange. How does this help democracy? It sounds like an active hurdle to participation in the democratic process.

Perhaps some Americans and others would like to comment on how they see this system. And, is this "opt-in" system of voter registration used anywhere else?
better then the old days when you would vote for your canidate with colord ballets (diffrent color for each canidate) in to a wooden box in full view others
then if your boss's goons saw you didn't vote for the canidate he endorsed, you got a colord slip of paper (it was pink)

Secondly, on performing this registration, they have to register their political affiliation.


There is nothing on the voter registration form that asks you to declare affiliation. If you vote in the Primaries, you then show that you are affiliated with one of the two major parties. For example, if you vote in the Democratic primary, you are then known to be a Democrat and the Republicans will not send you junk mail.

However, if you don't vote in the Primaries and, instead, sign a ballot petition for a third party or independent candidate, then you are shown to be affiliated with third parties or independents.

However, you do not have to declare anything to register to vote. If you don't vote in the Primaries or sign any ballot petitions, you can still vote in the general election.

Not sure where you're getting your information from, but I'd check the source.

There is nothing on the voter registration form that asks you to declare affiliation. If you vote in the Primaries, you then show that you are affiliated with one of the two major parties. For example, if you vote in the Democratic primary, you are then known to be a Democrat and the Republicans will not send you junk mail.

However, if you don't vote in the Primaries and, instead, sign a ballot petition for a third party or independent candidate, then you are shown to be affiliated with third parties or independents.

However, you do not have to declare anything to register to vote. If you don't vote in the Primaries or sign any ballot petitions, you can still vote in the general election.

Not sure where you're getting your information from, but I'd check the source.
um....you do have to declare in de.

Registration doesn't expire does it?

Registration doesn't expire does it?
i know mine dosn't becouse i'm military
but civilians i dont know

um....you do have to declare in de.


Even more proof that TX is better than the rest of the country.

Even more proof that TX is better than the rest of the country.
i cant argue with that
i have often wished i was from tx

um....you do have to declare in de.

So, the qualification to vote is different depending on where you live??
Surely a national election should take place according to a uniform system for the entire electorate to ensure absolute equality for those participating?

i know mine dosn't becouse i'm military
but civilians i dont know

Mine doesn't in MS. And like you, we have to declare only to vote in the primaries. Personally I hate that because there are sometimes Democrats I would like to vote for in the primary and I can't do that. However, my voter registration says NOTHING about my party. Which is good because more and more I'm in between the two. Voting for the candidate rocks :)

So, the qualification to vote is different depending on where you live??
Surely a national election should take place according to a uniform system for the entire electorate to ensure absolute equality for those participating?

The qualifications are the same. 18 years old, no felonies, capable of making a decision (ie comatose people don't vote). However, the method of registration and the information gathered about you is decided by the individual states. Its still fairly standardized minus a few things. In the USA our processes are sometimes compounded by states rights. The federal government makes certain guidelines and the states get to implement them in their own way. I know it sounds weird and complicated, but it does work.

In Arkansas, registration is simple. You can pick up a form at any library, download it online, or even register when you get your driver's license. You don't have to declare any party affiliation, but if you do it's write-in, so you can choose any party you'd like. However, to be able to vote in a party's primaries, you must be registered for that party. Your form must be postmarked 30 days before the election for you to be able to vote in that election, so it's far too late for anyone to register now for the election tomorrow. But yeah, my point is that it's easy to register here, and you don't have to declare any party affiliation.