POLL: For Cross-Over Voters (No political arguing, please)

[Liberty]

My dh and I were discussing how many of our friends/family are favoring a particular candidate who is not in their "declared" party and would vote the candidate in as president if given the opportunity. I wonder how pervasive this is across the country so have decided to post this poll. Please, I do not want to start any controversial posts, but am genuinely curious as to how many cross-over voters there are. If you want to jot a reason why, I challenge you to do so without naming names or giving away any discernible hints as to who you are talking about (quite the challenge, but should be fun).

Also, I've only listed the top two candidates in each party due to space constraints (and reasonable probability of these being true outcomes). Also, I apologize to all who consider themselves third party people (Libertarian, Green Party, etc...), but, again space prevents including all.

(Board Admin: If this breaks down into arguements, please remove this poll, and I apologize in advance)

The reason I would cross over and vote for my particular alternative party candidate, is mostly because I'm not excited about my own party's candidates, plus I'm pretty inspired by this other candidate.

[Mama Lynx]

I have no problem "crossing over" (esp. as I don't consider myself Dem. or Rep.), but I need option 6: None of the above. All of the above options make me cry.

[Diana in OR]

And it may cost me a political race someday. The way I see it, no one is perfect. There are times when the front-running candidate in my party of choice is *not* the best one for the job.

[Diane]

I wouldn't have a problem crossing over, I look at each individual and listen to their messages. As a matter of fact, when I first fell in love with my candidate, I was listening to his message on a show...I had no idea if he was republican or democrat. As the show ended I saw he was from my own party. Had he been from another party, I'd still vote for him.

[nancypants]

I put "stay in my own party" but only for these particular choices. Truth is, if I had my way I'd vote for none of these individuals. "Inspiring" is about the last word that comes to my mind when I think of/look at any of them! Unless inspiring might be stretched to mean, "Inspires me to vomit." Sorry!

But in this case I would pick the lesser of all of the evils and I believe that would mean voting for someone in my declared party, even if I don't like them. However, if miracles happened and a person from the opposite party suddenly decided that they agreed with me on my number one "political" priority then I would happily cross over. Since I don't think that will happen ever, it's unlikely that I would ever cross over. I would definitely cross over to a party that doesn't agree with me on everything but does on my main priority which I will never ever change my position on.

[GothicGyrl]

The truth is, I really wish we had more than two choices (rep/dem).. Since that isn't the case, I voted "stay in my party" because I've already said I'd never vote republican, let alone these two. So for this election, it's one of those and I'm still not sure which one.

Would I cross over? Maybe--if we had a) A third party to choose from and b) if the republican candidate actually focused on the true issues of America, rather than what his chosen faith dictates he choose.

That shouldn't start anything with anyone because that's just how I see it. Some republicans, like Nancy said, have one thing in mind when choosing a candidate and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But for me, it's when said candidate focuses solely on that one issue instead of the 100 others that really are more important, that makes me wonder about them.

If we could get a package deal--republican or democrat--where the true issues (those pertaining to America and the real problems we have) were the focus AND we had a third party choice, it might make elections time much less a "lesser of two evils" decision for most.

[Novafan]

I have no problem "crossing over" (esp. as I don't consider myself Dem. or Rep.), but I need option 6: None of the above. All of the above options make me cry.

What she said.

[Volty]

I'm independant but have been voting Dem at the national level for a long time. I would vote for McCain this year.

I didn't vote in your poll since I'm not affiliated. Really I'm very excited by the candidates this year and -other than Romney who's hopefully done after today- I'll happily support any of the other three.

[Plaid Dad]

I'm a third party member, and I can't in good conscience vote for any of them.

[Jenny in Atl]

I'm also third party member but have no problem voting with another party. I can't remember and election where I was really excited about any of the candidates, and I came from an active political family. My views are all over the place which makes being a main party member very hard.

This year I'm voting as much to stop a certain candidate from winning as I am voting in favor of one I really love and I wished it did. :(

[Andie]

I'm a third party member, and I can't in good conscience vote for any of them.

I feel the same way. However, I've never missed a vote. It feels irresponsible. Bleh. ???:confused:???

[Tammyla]

I'm registered as an Independent, and always vote my conscience.

When I was party registered, I did often cross over. :rolleyes:

[Kelli in TN]

I would have no problem crossing over if there were even one candidate worthy. I have had to lower my standards as to what will suffice to a point lower than ever before. Really it has come down to one point on which I cannot bend. Where are our gifted leaders? Where are our servants of the people? What are our distinguished statesmen(stateswomen)? How can it be that we do not have even one truly qualified, distinguished, strong, visionary leader in the running? How can our choices be so dismal?

I am going to have to give myself a pep talk all the way to the polling place today.

[Colleen]

Your poll doesn't work for me because I am not a member of any particular party. I refuse to align myself like that and I consider it unconstitutional to require voters to do so. Only recently, Washington state began requiring voters to register with a party in order to vote in the primaries; consequently, I will not vote in the primaries. Ultimately, I would not vote for any of these candidates, though.

[Mrs Mungo]

I've never voted outside my party but I might in November. I will really be ticked if it comes to that.

eta: I didn't vote in the poll because I'm not sure what I'll do it. It depends on which two candidates it comes down to.

[Kelli in TN]

Is anyone writing in their candidate?

I was reading instapundit this morning and he is suggesting a write in. I am considering it.


"By doing so, you send a message that can’t be mistaken or spun."

Hmmm, I would so love to send that message. I feel like no matter which way I turn I am compromising. Staying home feels wrong to me too.

Maybe a write in is the way to go. Not that it will change the outcome, but it might help send that message that can't be mistaken or spun.:)

[GothicGyrl]

Colleen, I'm curious though (and I'm only parroting what I hear, I actually agree with you but..), do you feel that it might be "wasting" a vote if you don't get to vote in the primaries?

I do so under duress and mainly so that I can have a say in who I DO NOT want as opposed to who I want. I really do agree with you and wish we'd do away with the party system all together... However, since that isn't likely to happen in my lifetime, do you vote in the November Election or not at all (and I wouldn't blame you if you didn't)?

Just mainly curious because I do agree that even though I'm voting, the choices really stink...

And I don't know if this is true, but I heard that writing in a candidate does nothing. They don't "get the message". That's why I ask if it is wasting a vote or not.

[KidsHappen]

I almost always vote libertarian but in this particular race I will probably cross over. There is one person I would like to see win so if they get the ticket I will vote for them and there is one person I DO NOT want to see win so I will vote against them if I have to.

[JenneinAZ]

I am not registered with any party and neither is my husband. So Super Tuesday isn't really so super here.

But as to the current list of candidates... BLECK!

I will vote for the least-worst option in November, but right now I dislike all of them.

Jenne in AZ

[HomeOnTheRanch]

I always vote my conscience in the primaries. I'm not voting in the poll because the person I'll be voting for isn't on the list. In the past general elections I've always voted party, but right now there is someone running for my party that I DO NOT want to win. If they get the party nomination, I'm not sure what I'll do. I really don't like the options on the other side also. UGH.

I usually vote party, but I wouldn't mind crossing over for the right candidate. However, if I'm crossing over, it either means that I don't agree with my party or the candidate doesn't agree with his/her party on a certain issue that is important to me.

[SFP]

Maybe a write in is the way to go. Not that it will change the outcome, but it might help send that message that can't be mistaken or spun.


How does it send a message? Your vote won't be counted. No one will know except the precinct workers. No one tabulates the "none of the aboves."

[AmyinPA]

By the time we vote in PA the decision's already made. Of course, in PA my votes never seem to matter since it's a blue state and I'm blood red. lol.

[Diana in OR]

As a candidate for a non-partisan position, I have been stereotyped b/c of my delcared party. Some assume I voted for certain people b/c of my party affiliation.

If all Reps and Dems were the same, we wouldn't need the primary, now, would we?

Btw, I really, really dislike Super Tuesday. :mad: It basically makes my vote in the primary useless when voting day rolls around in late May.

[GothicGyrl]

As a candidate for a non-partisan position, I have been stereotyped b/c of my delcared party. Some assume I voted for certain people b/c of my party affiliation.

If all Reps and Dems were the same, we wouldn't need the primary, now, would we?

Btw, I really, really dislike Super Tuesday. :mad: It basically makes my vote in the primary useless when voting day rolls around in late May.
This would be another reason why we should do away with the party system--assumptions.

People assume that democrat=this or that (trying to be vague so as to keep with the OP's wishes)
Or Republican= this or that

If you say "No, I may be this, but I'm not that" you get "well, why not" or "how could you" or any number of dismayed answers.

It's just wrong to assume anyway, but even more so when you have situations like yours. Either do away with the party system all around or go to a more than one party system and allow us full choice.

[Melinda in VT]

And I'm an independent so I can't vote in the poll. My past votes have been a good mix of candidates from both of the major parties.

However, I have to say that I am more motivated by partisan politics this election than I have ever been before. I am very eager to see a certain party in the White House. ;) And it just so happens that candidates from that party are on the top of the list every time I take a "pick your candidate" quiz.

So although theoretically I vote for the best candidate, I'm almost positive my vote will go to a certain party. As for the candidates for the other party, the one I respect doesn't agree with me on the issues.

[Eliana]

I'm a cross-over voter, but there isn't a category in the poll for me.
Depending on the options available in my state I've been Independent, Green, and Democratic Socialist, but never Republican or Democrat.

This election, for the first time in my adult life, I am supporting a main-steam candidate. (I have never been willing to make pragmatic voting choices - I don't vote for someone to prevent someone "worse" from being elected; if I can't in good conscience believe in a candidate, I don't vote for anyone... )

Eliana

[umarider]

If we could get a package deal--republican or democrat--where the true issues (those pertaining to America and the real problems we have) were the focus AND we had a third party choice, it might make elections time much less a "lesser of two evils" decision for most.


I agree. I've decided that this is the election year where I educate my dds about the process (not just cute "elections" for favorite flavors of ice cream, etc.) Try explaining our political system to a very wise, very sensible DD12... the looks I get are priceless!

[GothicGyrl]

I agree. I've decided that this is the election year where I educate my dds about the process (not just cute "elections" for favorite flavors of ice cream, etc.) Try explaining our political system to a very wise, very sensible DD12... the looks I get are priceless!
I took my kids to vote with me on Jan 29 (we had ours early) and I couldn't believe that they would NOT let me bring the kids back to my own booth and let them watch me or explain it to them!! The lady got very angry and adamant that they not "go back there" and that they "were not allowed" but she had no problem letting them play on the dummy machine.

Wha???? She actually yelled at me when I started to explain to them the process, telling me they were too old and it was "none of their business"...

geez.. no wonder some people haven't a clue how to vote--the old bats at the precint probably stood them in corners while mom and dad voted.

[Kelli in TN]

How does it send a message? Your vote won't be counted. No one will know except the precinct workers. No one tabulates the "none of the aboves."


I suppose that is true. The quote looked good on Instapundit's site. :)

And it may be significant to Tennessee voters only, Instapundit is a Tennessee guy.

But in reality, I just don't know.

I am still trying to make up my mind before the polls close or the severe weather arrives, whichever comes first.

[Tutor]

because I hated that I was looking at our country in an "us vs them" mentality. I would love to see a third party rise up to the level of acceptability the GOP and Democratic parties now share. I think it would force more people to really examine issues and candidates instead of just reading the letter that follows a particular candidate's name.

Come to think of it, it probably wouldn't help. It would just force some to be able to read another letter. Can you tell that years of watching campaigns are making me disgruntled? I am just at the point of not caring any more because it hurts to care, and I don't have the emotional energy to expend any more.

[Excelsior! Academy]

I took my kids to vote with me on Jan 29 (we had ours early) and I couldn't believe that they would NOT let me bring the kids back to my own booth and let them watch me or explain it to them!! The lady got very angry and adamant that they not "go back there" and that they "were not allowed" but she had no problem letting them play on the dummy machine.

Wha???? She actually yelled at me when I started to explain to them the process, telling me they were too old and it was "none of their business"...

geez.. no wonder some people haven't a clue how to vote--the old bats at the precint probably stood them in corners while mom and dad voted.


That's really odd, because I've taken mine with me to vote before. They stand right next to me. Most of the time I leave them home with DH because it's easier, but not because it's not allowed. Very odd!

[GothicGyrl]

That's really odd, because I've taken mine with me to vote before. They stand right next to me. Most of the time I leave them home with DH because it's easier, but not because it's not allowed. Very odd!
It WAS odd.. I've always been able to bring them back to my own area, no one has ever told me no. This lady told me that when they reach a certain age, they aren't allowed back there. All I could think of was "yes, because by then, they'll be allowed to vote"..

But it still made zero sense to me. All I can think of was it was a new voting precinct in an old folks retirement community place... maybe it was just their rule...

[Old Dominion Heather]

Seriously... I won't vote for any of these guys. I am an independent... I am sick of never having a candidate that I am enthusiastic about. I think we should get rid of the two party system.:mad:

[Kelli in TN]

That's really odd, because I've taken mine with me to vote before. They stand right next to me. Most of the time I leave them home with DH because it's easier, but not because it's not allowed. Very odd!

We are allowed to bring them with us here too. Tonight I left them home with dh just in case a tornado swallowed my van, I prefer they not be with me.

[GothicGyrl]

We are allowed to bring them with us here too. Tonight I left them home with dh just in case a tornado swallowed my van, I prefer they not be with me.
This was the first time I was ever told no. DH and I always brought the girls and one would stand with me, one with him... no one ever said anything to us.

The only other thing I can think of, other than "old bat" :), is the fact that my DD is almost 16 and does look a very young 18... maybe she thought something "bad" might happen because of it... dunno..

[mcconnellboys]

I have always been willing to do this, but this time, I have grave concerns about everyone who looks like they'll be running - so NOW what do I do, LOL? Run myself?

Regena

[Nancy in MI]

There will never be a "perfect" candidate. Therefore, I decide which issues are most important to me, and vote for the person whose views are the same as mine, regardless of which party he or she is a member of.

If the general election comes down to 2 candidates I don't like, I will have to pick the one with whom I disagree the least. I could not, in good conscience, stay home on election day!

It's going to be a loooong 9 months!

Nancy

[Colleen]

No "polls" here any more ~ all voting is by mail-in ballot only. I know the majority prefer it this way, and I know it's (allegedly) less expensive, but I really, really miss going to the polls to vote.:mad:

[Colleen]

If the general election comes down to 2 candidates I don't like, I will have to pick the one with whom I disagree the least. I could not, in good conscience, stay home on election day!

Neither could I ~ well, okay, I do stay home because, as I just posted elsewhere, we're now mail-in only, which I dislike immensely. But I agree with you in that I could not in good conscience simply abstain from voting. I am typically forced to choose the candidate with whom I share some essentials in common; that person may not be someone mainstream, though.

[Hillary in KS]

I would cross over, if there were anyone worth crossing over for.

Frankly, I don't like the choices in "my party," and I really don't like the choices in the other party.

[Karin]

Yes, I loathe all 4. I finally learned that even though I'm undeclared (I don't think any party has it all "right") I was able to declare just for the primary. I went just to put in a vote for someone I liked. I know darn well it will make no difference in the end but I wanted to be HEARD! Who it was or what party isn't important--I vote for the person.

[Colleen]

Colleen, I'm curious though (and I'm only parroting what I hear, I actually agree with you but..), do you feel that it might be "wasting" a vote if you don't get to vote in the primaries?

No, not really. But even if I did, I could not in good conscience vote in the primaries since it now requires declaring myself aligned with a party. That nonsense flies in the face of my principles and I refuse to bow to it.

I really do agree with you and wish we'd do away with the party system all together... However, since that isn't likely to happen in my lifetime, do you vote in the November Election or not at all (and I wouldn't blame you if you didn't)?

Oh, I always vote. Washington state voters don't have to declare a party when voting in the November general election. This concept of aligning oneself with a given party is just so utterly ridiculous ~ as is the two-party system. I could soapbox for hours on this topic.;)

And I don't know if this is true, but I heard that writing in a candidate does nothing. They don't "get the message". That's why I ask if it is wasting a vote or not.

I think Kelli is the one who mentioned write-ins. I wouldn't write-in a candidate. If I want to cast a "protest" vote, so to speak, I do so by voting for someone outside the main two parties with whom I am in agreement at least to some degree.

[GothicGyrl]

Colleen--you and I really do agree on this (as I see, most of us feel this way)--I loathe the two party system, the whole "must declare to vote" system and well, the whole system in general.

I guess, for me, declaring is just a small little thing for me to do if it means I can keep someone out of the race that really doesn't belong there.

And yes, Kelli is the one who mentioned the writing in part. I was just quoting down the line and for some reason it didn't take kelli's name.

[Liz CA]

[QUOTE=GothicGyrl;37280]I guess, for me, declaring is just a small little thing for me to do if it means I can keep someone out of the race that really doesn't belong there.

Here in CA, I can be non-partisan and still vote in the primaries as well as in November, of course. The Republican Party is the only one that does not allow independents or non-partisans to vote for any Rep candidate during primaries. It does not make any sense to me.
Open primaries across the nation would be a step in the right direction, IMHO.

[Liberty]

I want to thank everyone for responding and keeping this a civil conversation. If I could've done this poll over I'd have added Independent/3rd Party to each line to make this more inclusive.

I've also voted a 3rd party in the past (and, in fact, lean more toward a party that is not Democrat or Republican), but for the most part I vote for one of the main candidates just to prevent certain candidates from getting in (lesser of two evils sort of thing). It's unfortunate what a stranglehold the two parties have on the system and how impossible they've made it for others to get ahead.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

But it still made zero sense to me. All I can think of was it was a new voting precinct in an old folks retirement community place... maybe it was just their rule...

There are sometimes problems with relatives and/or friends "helping" older voters cast their ballot. Our family had an incident of this where someone "helped" dh's grandfather vote, almost certainly in an opposite direction from what dh's grandfather would have chosen to vote (and he was in no mental state to cast a ballot at all).

If this precinct was in a community with a lot of older voters, they might have been instructed (or just taken it on themselves) to have been more vigilant about only allowing a voter in the booth.

This is not to imply that you looked either elderly or in danger of being hoodwinked by your daughter.

[Audrey]

Your poll doesn't work for me because I am not a member of any particular party. I refuse to align myself like that and I consider it unconstitutional to require voters to do so. Only recently, Washington state began requiring voters to register with a party in order to vote in the primaries; consequently, I will not vote in the primaries. Ultimately, I would not vote for any of these candidates, though.

It worked that way in 2 of the states in which I previously lived. I totally agree about the unconstitutionality of it. I also long for expanded party options for the US. Two very narrowly defined parties is obviously not cutting it.

[debbiec]

OK, NAncyPants is a "HoneyMaker Bee!" lol!

[Julie in GA]

I have no problem "crossing over" (esp. as I don't consider myself Dem. or Rep.), but I need option 6: None of the above. All of the above options make me cry.
Me too. I would cross over to a third party candidate, possibly someone in the Constitution Party (I think that's what it's called), but still need to do my homework.