Do you think the primary system has become fouled up beyond all reason? Do you think that debates have become a fetish, and make candidates look like contestants on Big Brother more than people simply seeking elected office for reasons X,Y, and Z? And why do states with the population of the greater Calumet Region, Chicago, and Indianapolis combined have more swing of the decision club than the New Yorks, Californias, Pennsylvanias, and Texases?
And the state assembly has two bills to change things yet further. HB 1099 wants to change declaration of party affiliation from a public one to a private one. My question is will that make voter information no longer publicly available, so one will no longer be able to canvas an area for the hard party voters, soft party voters, or independents? That will kill Get out the Vote streamlined procedure for all parties.
SB 68 wants to let presidential candidates bypass the signature requirement by paying a $10,000 filing fee. The immediate need for this is to get all of the Final Four of the GOP primary on the ballot for this May. Once again I ask about unintended consequences like having a "ringer" like Mike Pance run against Mike Pence, or another shenanigan that I haven't dreamed yet.
To me, the primary election system is such a derelict structure that Bob Vila couldn't fix That Old House, and it should be replaced. Do you think it is still viable? If not, what's your suggestion for a Better Way?
Update: SB 68 has been pulled by its author, and is no longer in play. Getting signatures is still the only way to get on the ballot.
Hat tip to Buzzcut and Mike Delph for tips on the bills.
