Did you vote today? (or in the primaries of your state)

[CF DolFan]

Did you vote today or in the primaries of your state if it was a different date? Why or why not? How often do you vote? Do you vote across party lines?

[Phishfan]

I am registered as no party affiliated so usually the only things I can vote for this time of year are things that don't matter to me. I vote every Presidential and mis term though.

[Fau Teixeira]

I am registered as no party affiliated so usually the only things I can vote for this time of year are things that don't matter to me. I vote every Presidential and mis term though.

the elections that don't have a president or senator on them are the most important ..

city council, mayor, county judges, state house, state senate

these are the people that spend your property taxes and sales taxes, they're the ones that fix your roads or that put your cousin jimmy in prison or give him probation.

90% of everything that matters to you .. happens because of these elections

[DaLittle B]

Yes I voted in my state Primary in early August,I registered as an independent,but voted Democrat.There were a couple of issues,Pitbull ban,and a right to work issue,which we defeated in Missouri.

[Spider-Dan]

I voted in the CA primary back in June.

CA has a jungle primary system where the top-two candidates (regardless of party) advance to the general election, so your party registration only matters in Presidential primaries (for that, the CA Democratic Party allows independent voters to receive Democratic primary ballots, while the CA GOP does not).

This year's race for U.S. Senate will be Democrat Dianne Feinstein vs. Democrat Kevin DeLeon.  This is the second time in a row since the new system was implemented in 2014 that the U.S. Senate general election ballot is Democrat vs. Democrat.  And FYI, you may not write in a candidate during the general election, only during the primary.

[BuccaneerBrad]

I am registered as no party affiliated so usually the only things I can vote for this time of year are things that don't matter to me. I vote every Presidential and mis term though.

Same here.  I'm independent so I can't vote in the primaries.  Shocked to see that Gillum pulled off the upset for governor.  This showdown with DeSantis is gonna get ugly.

[BigDaddyFin]

I will vote when my state holds its primary 9/13.  I'm already going to be there working and doing election duties.  Also I'm running as a write in candidate for Slaughter's old seat. 

[CF DolFan]

I voted in the CA primary back in June.

CA has a jungle primary system where the top-two candidates (regardless of party) advance to the general election, so your party registration only matters in Presidential primaries (for that, the CA Democratic Party allows independent voters to receive Democratic primary ballots, while the CA GOP does not).

This year's race for U.S. Senate will be Democrat Dianne Feinstein vs. Democrat Kevin DeLeon.  This is the second time in a row since the new system was implemented in 2014 that the U.S. Senate general election ballot is Democrat vs. Democrat.  And FYI, you may not write in a candidate during the general election, only during the primary.

I never understood how people can vote across party lines in a primary but if the result is the top two candidates move on I wouldn't have an issue with it. Actually sounds like a good system.

[Phishfan]

the elections that don't have a president or senator on them are the most important ..

city council, mayor, county judges, state house, state senate

these are the people that spend your property taxes and sales taxes, they're the ones that fix your roads or that put your cousin jimmy in prison or give him probation.

90% of everything that matters to you .. happens because of these elections

Hardly any of that was on my ballot. Council is always on the bigger ballot and they select the mayor among them, and I always vote for council elections since they are in the big ballot. Judges, I don't have time to research half that shit and I would really be surprised if you looked up sentencing patterns of your local judges either.  Besides some people deserve jail. I just care they are not corrupt, so unless they make the news I'm ok with them. State House and Senate are also on the big ballot. I don't give a damn about voting for school boards either. I have no clue who those people are. Dog catcher, who cares? I really think you should see what was even on my sample ballot before assuming.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I never understood how people can vote across party lines in a primary but if the result is the top two candidates move on I wouldn't have an issue with it. Actually sounds like a good system.

You can’t vote across party lines.  In my state dems can only vote in dem primary, rep are only allowed vote in rep.  But independents can choose to vote in either primary.  I am an independent. Most of the time I vote in the dem primary, but there was one race where I voted for someone I knew who was running for a minor office.  Had he won the primary I would have voted for him in the general election.  

I do know of people who will vote for people they don’t like.  e.g In 2004 Conservatives who were not registered rep, but always vote GOP, voting for Sharpton to hurt Kerry.  Even though they had bush lawn signs and would prefer Kerry to Sharpton.

In 2020 I might vote in the Rep presidential primary, if there is moderate republican challenging Trump.  But there is a slight difference.  Let say it Flake vs Trump and Warren vs Biden.  I have a slight preference for Biden over Warren.  But a huge preference for Flake over Trump.  This is different than voting for some one because I think they would have a harder time in the general election.  E.g if polls said that either dem would crush Trump and Flake would beat either dem, I would still vote for Flake, because I see Flake as a huge improvement over Trump. The conservatives voting for Sharpton didn’t see him as better than Kerry, they saw him as less of a challenge to Bush.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

There is another reason to vote.  If you ever call an elected official for help, they can look up your voting record.  They won’t know how you vote, but they will know if you regularly vote in local elections. 

[CF DolFan]

You can’t vote across party lines.  

"In 28 states, unaffiliated voters can vote in any primaries, and in 15 of those states, primary voters are allowed to cross party lines and vote for someone of the "opposite" party than the one they are registered with. No-party is the new political party.Oct 19, 2016"

[Tenshot13]

You can’t vote across party lines.  In my state dems can only vote in dem primary, rep are only allowed vote in rep.  But independents can choose to vote in either primary.  I am an independent. Most of the time I vote in the dem primary, but there was one race where I voted for someone I knew who was running for a minor office.  Had he won the primary I would have voted for him in the general election.  

I do know of people who will vote for people they don’t like.  e.g In 2004 Conservatives who were not registered rep, but always vote GOP, voting for Sharpton to hurt Kerry.  Even though they had bush lawn signs and would prefer Kerry to Sharpton.

In 2020 I might vote in the Rep presidential primary, if there is moderate republican challenging Trump.  But there is a slight difference.  Let say it Flake vs Trump and Warren vs Biden.  I have a slight preference for Biden over Warren.  But a huge preference for Flake over Trump.  This is different than voting for some one because I think they would have a harder time in the general election.  E.g if polls said that either dem would crush Trump and Flake would beat either dem, I would still vote for Flake, because I see Flake as a huge improvement over Trump. The conservatives voting for Sharpton didn’t see him as better than Kerry, they saw him as less of a challenge to Bush.

In Florida, Rep only Rep, Dem only Dem.  Independent only get to vote for judges and school board.

[DaLittle B]

Hardly any of that was on my ballot. Council is always on the bigger ballot and they select the mayor among them, and I always vote for council elections since they are in the big ballot. Judges, I don't have time to research half that shit and I would really be surprised if you looked up sentencing patterns of your local judges either.  Besides some people deserve jail. I just care they are not corrupt, so unless they make the news I'm ok with them. State House and Senate are also on the big ballot. I don't give a damn about voting for school boards either. I have no clue who those people are. Dog catcher, who cares? I really think you should see what was even on my sample ballot before assuming.

I agree with the majority of this,but I'd like to add a bit of commentary,(as things are a bit different here)

Judges,Yep,100%
I'm bothered more about a bunch of local positions (city/county especially) that are broke down into they're democrat,republican, or these people are Anti this,religious,not religious,because it has Zero to do with the position. (Using the Dog catcher example) Do I really care if he thinks Marijuana should,or shouldn't be legal? No...

School board,We vote on them here,and I don't have kids...I have no clue about these people..I really wish they'd set it up based on what high school district you are in,and have you vote these people,through the School...When they want money,bonds etc fine Let everyone vote on it...I hear about the scuttlebutt through my landlord,a former Teacher...I admit, I get the importance of the schools,and what they teach,as it does have an effect on on my life in the future.I also want to make sure that the system pays our teachers well,etc,etc...It's like the Judges...

Modified, Sorry for the ramble, Started,got talking on the phone for work,and came back to finish it...I lost my choo-choo..