Sunday, July 01, 2007

Why You Should Vote in the Democratic Primary

You should vote in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, August 7 - even if you're a diehard Republican. Here's why.

In Mississippi, voters do not register as Democrats or Republicans - they just register as voters. When a Primary Election comes up, as it will on August 7, every voter gets to pick which primary they want to vote in. You don't have to be a Democrat to vote in the Democratic Primary, and you don't have to be Republican to vote in the Republican Primary. BUT you do have to pick one. (There is a court case pending to change this - click here to read about it.)

Many people make the mistake of picking the Party Primary of the Party they like, but that's a BIG mistake. Instead you should pick the Party Primary where you can most make a difference - where you have the most significant choices. And in this election, that's the Democratic Primary.

Although there are some state offices that have Republican Primaries, there is only ONE local office that has a Republican Primary - District 1 Supervisor Sammy Cauthen is being challenged by Paul Brooks. Every other local office is either unopposed (6) or has a Democratic Primary (16). So do you want to vote for one local office or sixteen? It's a no brainer!

Be careful when you go to vote. The poll worker may ask "Democrat or Republican?" They're not asking your Party. They're asking you which ballot you want.

Another significant fact that many people do not know: only the people who voted in that Party Primary will be allowed to vote in the Runoff. There will be no Republican Runoffs in this election, so if you vote in the Republican Primary on August 7, you will not be allowed to vote at all in the Runoff Election on Tuesday, August 28.

Every registered voter has the right to vote in the General Election on Tuesday, November 6. However, you'll only be able to vote for two local offices: Supervisors from Districts 1 and 2. All other local offices will be decided in the Democratic Primary: Both State Senators, three State Representatives, Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, Coroner, both Justice Court Judges, and Supervisors from Districts 3, 4, & 5.

If you care about how your government is run, then you must vote in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, August 7.

NOTE: How you vote is private. Whether you vote and in what primary is a matter of public record. People who do not vote or who vote in the Republican Primary will have no right to complain for the next four years, and we'll know who you are.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent. Thanks for the breakdown. Please everyone Vote,
Vote, Vote.

Anonymous said...

You claim that people who don't vote have no right to complain.

Very well.

I expect an end to disapproving comments from people who do not live in Natchez. This includes people who live in the county. They aren't allowed to vote for the Board of Aldermen or Mayor.

Furthermore, if your candidate wins, you should not be allowed to complain. After all, you rubber stamped their actions when you voted.

If you back the looser, well I guess you can complain all you like.

Give me a meaningful choice, and I'll cast a useful vote. Simply voting for the lesser of evils is still a vote for evil.

Anonymous said...

As a young white voter I consider myself a republican, but as an Adams County resident there isnt a choice when we vote, you must, well until its changed vote democrat, most of the so called republican voters are basing their beliefs on the national level and in my opinion thats mindless, If you love Natchez Adams County there isnt a choice on Aug 7th. We as a whole must vote democratic.

Anonymous said...

Dont be confused at the polls, between democrat and republican, surely if it was a racial issue it would have been a civil rights suit years ago, they WILL NOT ever vote republican otherwise never being confused like some white republicans, This is not an issue with them but VOTER ID is wonder why.....???????/

Anonymous said...

God forbid Sammy Cauthen not re-elected. He and Boo are the only brains we've got on the county side.

Anonymous said...

Re: 9:19 Whaattt? Surely you jest.
Spanky and Henry are saving the county money. Years ago they inspected and corrected proposed roof work on a county bldg. They saved $48,000.00 for this 20 min effort.
The recent county auction where Spanky had to fight for proper equipment prices and made an additional $200,000.00 + for his effort.
These men are trying to make more govt.positions (such as judges) accountable and less dependent on the money tree.
These men pay their own and their families hospital bill at Ntz Regional (county hospital) rather than struting away leaving it for the taxpayers. They have accomplished more than has been mentioned...but there are limitations on what two can do. Now we need another business man, another man of quality and integrity such as Paul Leake. Forget about friends and relatives, vote for the most qualified candidate, whoever that may be.

Anonymous said...

we really need to rid ourselves of all of the city alderman. It is now time to find candidates for each ward.

Anonymous said...

Please keep Alderman Gray. He really works hard for the residents of his area. No matter what the situation, he is always available for his constituents. He trys hard to get things for Ward 2 but politics is a difficult game and I don't think he is going to play political games at the expense of his constituents. He is an alderman who stands up for what is right regardless.

Anonymous said...

Come out of dreamland and get real. This election will be just like all the rest for the past 30 years. Totally racial.

The white boys will split their votes between democrat and republican.

The blacks will go solidly democrat and black candidates.
Most care nothing about qualifications and criminal records, just color.

I voted for Philip West. Won't do it again.

Anonymous said...

Sammy and Boo?

Explain exactly just what they have done for Natchez.

We have done nothing but slide downhill since the collapse of the oil boom in the 80's.

This county is full of do nothing employee's riding around in county trucks and cars. I heard they give them syphon hoses with their vehicles to keep family vehicles full of gas.

Our present economic upswing is due to Hurricane Katrina moreso than any intelligent decisions by our local political robots.

Anonymous said...

A previous anonymous is right.

Many blacks will arrive at the polls with their papers in hand on how to vote, given them by their black slave owners.

I have seen it many times in the past.

Anonymous said...

Who are the "slave owners"? I've heard the politicians go to the churches with money in hand to buy the vote. That's pretty common knowledge. By the way, I've noticed a lot more democrats among the white community now that election time is near; among them are those who clearly have expressed the republican ideology by their comments, their attitude, their yard signs during the national elections. But, party affiliation lines become blurred in local politics, I suppose. But, a Republican is as he does and same for a Democrat. I'll go with the Democrat... even in sheeps clothing.

Anonymous said...

It seems our justice system is letting public officials who commit crimes get away with a slap on the wrist. It's time we the voters start cleaning house by getting all of these bad apples out of office. Especially Binky Vines, Theodore "Bubber" West and any other who has committed a crime and still holds office. If the justice system won't take care of these people, it's left up to us to do it by voting.

So they make restitution, if they weren't guilty why make restitution? Yet they remain in office.

City and County need to be cleaned up and it seems only we the voters can do it with out votes.

Let's get rid of these rotten apples all they're doing is stinking up the place. Please vote, vote, vote and let our voices be heard.

Anonymous said...

AMEN!

Anonymous said...

The "slave owners" are the black preachers and leaders the politicians have handsomley rewarded with money and promises for their votes.

There are no letterheads, just who to vote for, and "they" OBEY. I have seen these papers.

A much older and wiser friend of mine remarked many years ago after witnessing these elections, "Hell will have more preachers in it than anything else".

Anonymous said...

Right on,,on Sammy & Boo.

During the years the Natchez economy was "sliding downhill" their Salaries and Perks certainly DID NOT!!!!!!

They are waaaay overpaid, for what little they do, and make all of the out-of-town social events.

Anonymous said...

I have lived here my whole life. I have seen it up and am watching it go down. As a local business owner, I am concerned about Natchez economy. I say we do need some new blood in office especially SUPERVISORS!!! I say out with the old and in with the new! Paul may look good on paper but I think someone needs to look a little deeper. We need HONEST and HARD WORKING men in our office. How many of our current supervisors do you think have ever worked a real hard day in their life? I think Spanky and Henry have proven that they are willing to do it.
I think if you don't vote you don't have a right to complain about anything. Because it is our duty to vote and atleast have a little say in how things are run.