Today is Michigan’s Presidential primary. Any registered voter in Michigan may vote. All you have to do is ask for whichever party’s ballot you want. Since Obama is running unopposed on the Democratic ballot, you have no reason to vote in the Democratic primary. However, even if you are a staunch Democrat or independent, or even a Republican-hater, you have every reason to vote in the Republican primary. Even though I am sick with the flu and on doctor-ordered bedrest, I dragged my butt out to the polls and voted anyway and I urge you to do the same.
If you are a progressive, your mission should be to pick the Republican you find least odious, or, at least cast a vote AGAINST whichever Republican you find most scary. In my particular case, that meant doing whatever I could to oppose Rick Santorum. Interestingly enough, the ballot even includes a choice for “uncommitted,” which I take to be a vote for “none of the above” and essentially a vote for a brokered convention in November.
While there are a dozen or so candidates on the ballot, your only practical choices are Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, or “uncommitted.” I strongly suggest you walk in and pick one of them, because this is your chance to help decide who President Obama will face in November. While of course you have every right to refuse to vote, why would you? This is your chance to make your voice heard. Why not take it?
Polls close at 8pm; as I write this it means you’ve still got a few hours. You can easily hit the polling place on your way home from work, or your way out to dinner. They won’t be crowded, and no one will ask you anything except “which ballot do you want?” Just say “Republican” and vote your conscience. No, it does not lock in who you vote for in November, and it does not mean you are now a “registered Republican.” There is no such thing in Michigan. You can vote in the Democratic primary next time if you want, or in the Republican primary next time, or however you want, and NONE OF IT affects who you vote for in November. Every primary season, you just pick whichever ballot you want. You are never locked in to any party or candidate by doing this–all it does is make sure your voice is heard in the selection process.
(This item cross-posted to Dean’s World.)
Dean Esmay is the author of Methuselah’s Daughter. He has contributed to Dean’s World, Huffington Post, A Voice for Men, Pajamas Media. Neither left nor right wing, neither libertarian nor socialist.