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Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

getagrip_already

(17,405 posts)
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 01:15 PM Apr 2020

A humble proposal to finish out the Dem nomination process

Given that it doesn't appear that the remaining states will find a good window to hold "normal" primary elections any time soon, here is a modest straw horse on how to let the remaining dem's cast their preferences.

Use either the first week of August or the last week of July, and allow any Registered dems who have not had a primary yet to either vote by mail or by using a web app. Several states may be able to hold normal voting, but several - especially with republican governors - will probably not hold an election prior to the convention.

This shouldn't need any state approvals since primaries are not elections and political parties are free to set their own rules and determine their own nominees. Many smaller parties don't even hold primary elections; party officials simply anoint a candidate.

Verification can be handled by local party volunteers. They can verify a person's registration, address, and identity over the phone. They could then send out a ballot to the address the person registered under or provide a personal single use code via mail to vote at a dem party website. Any disputes get handled solely by the party itself.

Nobody has to go to a polling place in person. Anyone who wants to vote can have their preference registered.

Then the states delegates would be apportioned based on the polling period and the process proceeds to whatever the convention is.

We have three months left to set it up and execute it. Is it prone to abuse? Sure, but the dem party can arbitrate reports of abuse or tampering.

Of course, if a certain candidate would just admit reality, the voters wouldn't need to put their health at risk just to satisfy someones vain stubbornness.

Just a thought anyway.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
1. Waste of time and resources.
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 01:18 PM
Apr 2020

There is literally no chance Sanders can win outside of something happening that would require Biden to leave the race.

The time, money, effort, and resources that will be wasted dragging the process out could be better spent on myriad other efforts, including general election campaigns and efforts to combat and minimize COVID-19. Creating a bunch of new processes to support your suggestions would be pointless.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

getagrip_already

(17,405 posts)
2. I agree, but what is the alternative?
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 01:24 PM
Apr 2020

We will end up at the convention with states that haven't voted, and likely nobody will have a simple majority. it will still drag out to a floor vote.

The party simply isn't going to end the primaries early. And getting to a majority requires states to vote.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
3. The convention isn't going to be held before the primaries are completed.
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 01:28 PM
Apr 2020

The final primary is currently scheduled for June 23rd.

The convention is in August.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

getagrip_already

(17,405 posts)
4. I don't think we can say that....
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 01:31 PM
Apr 2020

These lockdowns could roll through the summer. Red governors also have the ability to push the primaries out again and again.

There will almost certainly be states that don't vote at all.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
5. I think you're missing the point.
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 01:33 PM
Apr 2020

The whole point of the convention is for the delegates to vote for and/or confirm a nominee.

If the primaries are delayed, the convention will be as well. One leads to the other.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

getagrip_already

(17,405 posts)
7. that is EXACTLY the point I'm not missing.....
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 01:44 PM
Apr 2020

By your criteria, there may never be a dem nominee. We have to have a known timeline. The primary needs to end and the general start. We won't resolve anything if we follow the formal state run election route.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(70,995 posts)
10. We need a presumptive nominee well before that if we are to beat Trump...the convention has nothing
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 02:11 PM
Apr 2020

to do with it...we are not having a brokered convention as Sanders will not have a majority or close to a majority of the delegates...those states that can't finish by June 2nd when there is no path can vote but the presumptive nominee will already be know and declared.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(70,995 posts)
11. Biden already has a majority and will have more when Ohio votes in late April.
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 02:12 PM
Apr 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(70,995 posts)
12. Even if Biden suspended the race I do not believe Sanders would be the nominee...a candidate
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 02:13 PM
Apr 2020

who suspended his/her campaign would jump back in and get the Biden votes and any remaining votes or be put in by Supers. Clearly Sanders does not have enough support to win a general.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TwilightZone

(28,833 posts)
13. Agreed.
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 02:15 PM
Apr 2020

Sanders and his supporters seem to be under the impression that he wins if Biden drops out, not understanding that Biden's delegates would rally behind someone else, not Bernie. That lack of understanding is probably part of the problem.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(70,995 posts)
14. He can't carry AA voters thus can't be our nominee...it is that simple.
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 02:36 PM
Apr 2020

It would be political suicide to nominate him.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Bradshaw3

(7,962 posts)
6. Not a bad idea
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 01:33 PM
Apr 2020

As much as some hate it, Sanders did and was going to receive millions of votes. Like you said, he just needs to drop out. But just trying to end it with Biden supporters saying it's over, as true as it is, will only be divisive. And I know some on here don't care, or enjoy refighting the 2016 primary, but we need to find ways to bring as many voters as we can into the fold to get rid of the asshole. Leting the remaining states vote - in some way- would be a step toward that.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(70,995 posts)
9. There is no way...those who care about Trump will vote for Biden...and the others will not be
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 02:09 PM
Apr 2020

persuaded with facts and logic...the risk to keeping the primary going and not fundraising for down ballot and our nominee Joe Biden and having the attack continue is greater than losing some Sanders voter that IMHO, we are unlikely to get in any case.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(70,995 posts)
8. It won't work...you would need the states to tell us who has voted...mail voting where possible and
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 02:06 PM
Apr 2020

I think it will happen in early June...Ohio it will happen on 4-28 and if Wisconsin goes on Tuesday that will tell the tale and leave Sanders with no path at all...then the DNC declares Joe the presumptive nominee...at which point fundraising can begin for Joe and for down ballot. Those states that don't vote by June 2nd won't be counted..and that is that. The primary is essentially over now in any case...but I do think the primary will go on for other candidates in various states...good chance that we will get most states by by June 2nd.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

getagrip_already

(17,405 posts)
15. I'm just not confident any primaries not already cleared for all mail will
Thu Apr 2, 2020, 03:05 PM
Apr 2020

not be cancelled after wisconsin. WI will be a first class shite show. No state will want to follow their lead. They will just keep postponing and we will never have closure.

As for mail, it would go to the states dnc, not the state gov - it would be a poll, not an election.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
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