By Mark C. Poloncarz (originally published on Facebook on April 17, 2016):
As you all know (unless you have been living under a rock), Tuesday is Primary Day in NY. Polls open at 6 am in Erie County, noon elsewhere in WNY, and then all close at 9 pm.
Only registered members of each party are entitled to vote. This is called a closed primary, and in my opinion is correct. Members of other political parties, or independents, should not be able to influence the determination of the members of a party. While I know not all agree with this principle, I believe if you want to have a say in a party’s primary then you should join the party. If you wish to be independent then by all means do so, but you should not be able to influence a party’s choice regardless of whether it is the Democratic or Republican Party.
The time to change parties was last year. I do agree the timeline to change registration should be changed to 30 days before a primary but not sooner. That is because I could see wholesale efforts in local races to influence other parties’ choices if it was the day of the primary, including attempted takeover of candidates, especially as it pertains to minor parties (if you do not believe me ask the WFP and Greens because local Republicans are trying to take over both by enrolling lifelong GOP members as WFP and Greens). I do agree with same day registration for a general election but not a primary as I know from being in this business for some time hijinks on local races would occur.
If you are a member of the Democratic or Republican Parties please vote. I will be supporting Hillary Clinton but no matter who you support please vote this Tuesday.
Copyright Mark C. Poloncarz 2016