Hey, slackers! It’s time to return your early mail-in ballot

Let’s not sugarcoat it: so-called “Independent” voters aka “no party preference” voters are in general low information voters who are politically disengaged. They may register to vote, but they cannot be bothered to perform the one obligation they have as a citizen of the United States — vote.

In the last midterm election in 2010, less than 8 percent of so-called “Independent” voters bothered to vote in the primary election. You are slackers, and sadly, you are damn proud of it.

StopTop2The Arizona Republic’s Laurie Roberts has been the head cheerleader for former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson ‘s damn fool idea for a “top two non-partisan primary” that voters rejected 2-1 in 2012. Now she has The Republic’s Linda Valdez buying into the Media Villagers’ belief in unicorns: the ‘independent’ voter panacea. Valdez was recently a cheerleader as well. Political follies show need for nonpartisan primaries.

Riiight. We should blow up our entire election system for the lowest common denominator, i.e., the low information politically disengaged voter who can’t be bothered to perform the one obligation they have as a citizen of the United States — vote. You know what? They still won’t effin’ vote! California’s ‘top two primary’ fails to deliver on utopian promises.

The political scientists who study election systems and voting have declared this to be a bad idea (only the handful of advocates behind this idea are for it). It is media villagers and the politicians they carry water for who promote this idea. The Arizona Republic is just reckless and irresponsible.

There was recently reporting on how so-called “Independent” voters had doubled the number of ballots requested this year over the 2010 primary election.  Maybe so, but here in Pima County it is still represents less than 10% of so-called “Independent” voters. the Arizona Daily Star editorialized on Sunday, Independents don’t have to sit out the primaries:

[I]n Arizona independents and voters who have not declared a party affiliation can vote in primary elections (the rules aren’t the same in every state).

Yet independents often don’t. According to figures released Friday from the Pima County Recorder’s Office, fewer than 9 percent of the 156,144 eligible independent and no-party-affiliation voters have requested an early primary ballot.

It is possible, although not likely given the increased popularity of early voting, that a flood of independent voters will turn up in person at the polls on Aug. 26, election day.

While primaries do serve a political party function, their effect is not exclusive to those parties. Independents don’t align with any of the organized parties recognized in Arizona — Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Americans Elect or Green — but they have the same choices come November, so it doesn’t make sense to bypass the initial selection process.

The Pima County Recorder’s Office answers calls from voters, and there are a few misconceptions that keep coming up, said Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez.

Independents and no-party-affiliated voters can cast a ballot in the primary election — you can request an early mail-in ballot until Friday, Aug. 15 — or at the polls.

You will need to request a specific party’s ballot, and you can choose only one; it’s not mix-and-match by race.

Requesting a party ballot does not — repeat NOT — mean you have changed your independent voter status. You will remain a registered independent or “NP” (no party).

The party you choose, however, will know that you have requested its ballot and you may receive campaign materials or be contacted asking if you’ve turned in your early ballot. State law requires the county recorder to provide political parties and candidates with this information, Rodriguez explained.

“People don’t like it but it’s the law — and who makes the laws? Candidates,” she said.

Today is Monday, August 11. The last day to request an early mail-in ballot is Friday, August 15. The last day to mail your early mail-in ballot so that it will be received on time to be counted is Friday, August 22. After that, if you have not returned your early mail-in ballot, you can drop off your completed early ballot (remember to sign and date it) at the polls. Most counties have early voting sites until Friday, August 22 as well. You can drop in and vote.  And if you slackers still haven’t voted, primary election day is Tuesday, August 26. Request a party ballot and vote. No more lame-ass excuses.