Listening to C-SPAN radio this morning, I learned something new. And not something good.
The show transcript is not online yet, but this excerpt from a pdf on the Michigan Democratic Party website sums it up pretty well:
8. Q: What are the choices on the ballot?
A: The Democratic ballot will have 6 choices:
Hillary Clinton
Christopher Dodd
Mike Gravel
Dennis Kucinich
Uncommitted
Write-in
9. Q: What is “uncommitted”?
A: A vote for “uncommitted” is a vote to send delegates to the Democratic National Convention who are not
committed or pledged to any candidate. Those delegates can vote for any candidate they choose at the Convention.
10. Q: If my candidate’s name is not on the ballot, should I write it in?
A: No. Supporters of Joe Biden, John Edwards, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson are urged to vote
“uncommitted” instead of writing in their candidates’ names because write-in votes for those candidates will not be
counted under state law.
But according to the callers on the show this morning, most people don't know about this whole "ignore the line" thing. You write in a candidate, and your vote doesn't count. End of story.
Winners in this screwed up process: No one
Losers: Clinton for being the only name on the ballot because it's all bound to be misinterpreted and somehow backfire.
Democrats who support Obama or Edwards and don't know that expressing said support by voting on a ballot actually silences their voice.
The Michigan Democratic Party for alienating its own.
Nice going, guys. Way to make it work for the people.
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