Voters could caucus twice due to loophole
A loophole in the registration process could allow local voters to participate in two caucuses this week. Enlarge video
Election 2008 - Kansas Caucuses
Full coverage of the 2008 Kansas Caucuses, including interactive map of polling places and a Q&A about the process.
There's an unintended procedural flaw that could allow some Kansans to vote in both caucuses this week.
Unlike the Democratic caucus Tuesday where participants could register or change their party affiliation at the door, GOP leaders have said anyone who wants to caucus had to be a registered Republican by Jan. 25. The party purchased a list of voters from the Kansas Secretary of State.
However, Christian Morgan, Kansas Republican Party executive director, said that based on the voter records that caucus leaders have dated Jan. 28, they would not be able to tell whether a GOP voter changed his or her registration Tuesday night to Democrat to participate in their caucuses. Those changes probably won't become official immediately because county clerks have to receive the forms to verify the changes.
Morgan said he expected only a handful of voters to try that strategy.
"If people wanted to switch their voter registration to Democrat to interfere in their caucus, more power to them," Morgan said. "We know they're Republicans interested in electing Republicans, and they're definitely welcome at our caucus."
Jenny Davidson, spokeswoman for the Kansas Democratic Party, said party leaders hoped anyone who changed affiliation continues to be a Democrat.
"If someone votes in both caucuses, that's their prerogative," she said.
At one Lawrence Democratic caucus site, the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, organizers said about 1,250 people filled out a new registration form, but they estimated about 75 percent were Kansas University students who changed their place of voter registration to Douglas County.
Comments
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oldvet (anonymous) says…
Caucus early and caucus often!
Phill_Davis (anonymous) says…
Christian Morgan doesn't know what he's talking about. The logical sequence to take advantage of the delay is to register as a RINO and then switch back at the Dem caucus.
verity (anonymous) says…
"If people wanted to switch their voter registration to Democrat to interfere in their caucus, more power to them," Morgan said.
Oh, the true spirit of democracy.
If you have to cheat to win, hey, that's just fine. And not even enough sense to keep it to yourself.
martyks (anonymous) says…
here here!! The "more power to them" attitude is exactly what drove the Nixon crowd and look how much power they wound up having. I'm so tired of the games. Obama is the only one who has come out against this kind of thing. That's why we need a change. Interfering with our democracy is unamerican. Surpressing the vote is unamerican. Cheating is unamerican. And suggesting it is great to interfere with our democracy is unpatriotic. It's time we stood up against these people and took back our democracy.
dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
There were Republicans who re-registered at the Democrat caucus, because they wanted a change. I'm was an independent and decided to get involved so I registered that night, not to interfere with the process, but because I wanted to vote for Obama. I will probably eventually reregister as an independent someday. The Republican party only wants those who are registered as Republicans to get involved. It's their choice to make, but they want to exclude independents who might be excited about one of their candidates.
kansanjayhawk (anonymous) says…
Vote for the candidate of your choice. But please choose one (1)!!
maxcrabb (anonymous) says…
What if I don't want any of these people in office?
Would it be "undemocratic" to just not vote? Wouldn't a non-vote be the same as a random vote that has no merit to it, just to be a vote for vote's sake?
A very rhetorical question...