Republicans pull a fast one on voters

[DiscoBerry]

Again.  This lady is a complete jackass. 

Last year, Republican Jonathan Paton lost his bid for Congress to Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick by about 9,000 votes.  Meanwhile, Libertarian Kim Allen in the race got just over 15,000 votes.

But for the Libertarian, Paton would be a congressman today – assuming, as Republicans do, that Libertarian votes would logically slide over to the R column.

What’s a good Republican to do about a bunch of spoilers who are keeping them from electoral glory?

Well, today we found out.

Integrity how?

The sponsor of House Bill 2305, Sen. Michele Reagan, calls her measure the “elections integrity bill.”

I imagine that Jonathan Paton might agree with her, and Vernon Parker as well.

http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/laurieroberts/2013/06/19/republicans-pull-a-fast-one-on-voters/

[ironbite]

You know I have to think this might be all kinds of illegal.

Ironbite-but I'm too flabbergasted to really think about it.

[kefkaownsall]

Green Party candidates would actually have to collect more signatures than they have party members.

   Optimism they use this as a get out the vote movement

[Askold]

I've said this before and I will say it again:
The biggest problem I see with the US political system is that it is extremely hostile to third parties. In order for a new party to succeed they must immediately get a HUGE amount of votes, which only seems possible if at least one of the two big ones has fucked up so badly that they have a massive voter loss.

So rather than the possibility of slow and gradual change this system either maintains a status quo or changes with a huge and drastic upheaval.

And now they are just kicking the small parties to keep them down...

[Sylvana]

This is brilliant.
This is an attempt to remove third parties leaving you with the option of voting for the party that obeys the corporations, and the party that worships corporations.
Its like a democracy where you can either vote for the evil dictator, or the evil dictators brother.

It is quite sad that this does not surprise me in the least.

[Cerim Treascair]

Can... Can you guys just STOP? Y'know, fuck off for a while?

We know the USA is fucked.  We still don't like hearing constantly about how every other country is better than us.  Proceed apace and fornicate with a cactus.

[Lt. Fred]

Australia shares the same problem. We have a system that overwhelmingly advantages certain political parties in certain circumstances over other political parties. For instance, in a recent election a party received a little over half the vote (51%) and around 80% of seats, giving them 100% power. This is absurd.

The solution to both problems is the European multi-member electorate system, which we should adopt immediately (and won't).

[Vypernight]

Can they still do write-ins?  If so, there should be a massive online campaign for write-in votes for the next election.  That would piss a lot of people off.

[Star Cluster]

Can they still do write-ins?  If so, there should be a massive online campaign for write-in votes for the next election.  That would piss a lot of people off.

Yes, write-ins are still allowed.  And that's not a bad idea.  The only problem is finding a single candidate that enough people can get behind to write-in and have any effect on an election.  The only place write-in candidates ever have any success is in small local elections.

[QueenofHearts]

This is brilliant.
This is an attempt to remove third parties leaving you with the option of voting for the party that obeys the corporations, and the party that worships corporations.
Its like a democracy where you can either vote for the evil dictator, or the evil dictators brother.

It is quite sad that this does not surprise me in the least.

QFT, gurl, QFT.

Then again, Arizona is the dumb state.

[dpareja]

Can they still do write-ins?  If so, there should be a massive online campaign for write-in votes for the next election.  That would piss a lot of people off.

Yes, write-ins are still allowed.  And that's not a bad idea.  The only problem is finding a single candidate that enough people can get behind to write-in and have any effect on an election.  The only place write-in candidates ever have any success is in small local elections.

Didn't Lisa Murkowski win the 2010 Alaska Senate election as a write-in after losing the Republican primary? (I grant that she had the advantage of incumbency, but still.)

[Dr. Weird]

Can they still do write-ins?  If so, there should be a massive online campaign for write-in votes for the next election.  That would piss a lot of people off.

Yes, write-ins are still allowed.  And that's not a bad idea.  The only problem is finding a single candidate that enough people can get behind to write-in and have any effect on an election.  The only place write-in candidates ever have any success is in small local elections.

Didn't Lisa Murkowski win the 2010 Alaska Senate election as a write-in after losing the Republican primary? (I grant that she had the advantage of incumbency, but still.)

Yes, but that's pretty much the exception that proves the rule.  And like you said, incumbency.

[MadmanJohnson]

I'm a Libertarian and....Not sure about Mr.Nevershould. This is a open attack on Third Parties everywhere by the Christan Right extremists. I'd build something to END them if we had the money.

[Vypernight]

Can they still do write-ins?  If so, there should be a massive online campaign for write-in votes for the next election.  That would piss a lot of people off.

Yes, write-ins are still allowed.  And that's not a bad idea.  The only problem is finding a single candidate that enough people can get behind to write-in and have any effect on an election.  The only place write-in candidates ever have any success is in small local elections.

Don't need to.  As long as the majority aren't voting for the main candidates, they're sending the right message.

[wrightway]

Can they still do write-ins?  If so, there should be a massive online campaign for write-in votes for the next election.  That would piss a lot of people off.

Yes, write-ins are still allowed.  And that's not a bad idea.  The only problem is finding a single candidate that enough people can get behind to write-in and have any effect on an election.  The only place write-in candidates ever have any success is in small local elections.

Stephen Colbert, anyone?