How-To Guide to Voting Democratic on January 15th

There has been much controversy over the January 15th primary election, especially within the Democratic Party in Michigan. The feuds between the state party, state legislators, the federal Democratic National Committee, and the candidates for president have been publicized often in recent months as different dates and methods of electing a nominee have been discussed and finally implemented.

All of the confusion has caused many to consider not voting in the Democratic Primary, as there are many questions left unanswered. Where do I vote? What time can I vote? How do I get the Democratic ballot? Are there any new election procedures? Why are there so few candidates on the ballot? What if I support a candidate not on the ballot? Should I write in my candidates name or vote uncommitted?

Several of these questions are easy, but have not been well explained by the news media. On January 15th, during the normal election hours, voters should travel to their normal polling location. This is where they have voted for every past election. If you are unsure where to vote, you can look at the state website and input your information. The website is www.michigan.gov/vote

To obtain your ballot you must first present photo identification. If you do not have a piece of photo id, you may simply sign an affadavit attesting that you are who you say you are. To get a Democratic or Republican ballot, you must tell the election workers which ballot you wish to receive. They will give you the relevant ballot.

Once you get the Democratic ballot, you will notice that there are only four candidates on the ballot, with two extra options. Senator Hillary Clinton, Representative Dennis Kucinich, Former Senator Mike Gravel, and Senator Chris Dodd, will be listed as candidates on the ballot, with other options labeled “Uncommitted” and “Write-In.” Those Democrats supporting one of the other candidates who does not appear on the ballot are being encouraged to vote Uncommitted on the primary ballot, as the delegates elected by uncommitted votes will be free to vote for whomever they choose at the national convention. Voters are discouraged from using the “write-in” option, as candidates must declare as write-in candidates several weeks before the election, and none of the other four candidates have.

Please don’t forget to get out to the polls on Tuesday! This primary decides our future as a nation, and decisions are made by those who show up.

Scott Hendrickson
President of the MSU Democrats

Hendrickson: Dems unwise to walk away from Michigan

Candidates who abandon state primary might want to think about Nov. 2008

The announcement by the Obama, Richardson, Edwards, and Biden campaigns that they would not be on the ballot in Michigan came as a surprise to some. To others, it is the continuation of a trend that started months ago.

For many years, Iowa and New Hampshire have had a stranglehold on the first Democratic contests. Politicians cater to the interests of these states almost exclusively - and the pandering reaches an all-time high as campaign promises are given out like they are nothing.

This year, Michigan has tried to have the Democratic candidates spend time talking about issues important to our state. We are in the midst of an economic crisis: a single state recession. Presidential candidates should devote some time to hearing our issues and telling the voters in Michigan what they plan to do to help us.

To accomplish this, the two political parties moved their primary election dates ahead in the order, breaking the Democratic National Committee's rules. In response to this, each candidate began by pledging not to campaign in this "rogue" state that so carelessly broke the rules. More recently, several Democratic candidates have decided to drop their names from the Michigan ballot in protest.

The shortsightedness of these campaigns is astounding. This obvious political stunt is meant only to try to woo the voters in the early states that are being bumped from the top spots. While this may win them Iowa and New Hampshire, what then happens when it is time to run in the fall?

In America today, elections are closer than ever. And Michigan remains a swing state. In either 2000 or 2004, if Michigan had swung to the Republicans, there would have been no need for any talk of Ohio or Florida.

President Bush would have won in what is considered a landslide by today's standards.

Considering this, what happens if one of the candidates, who is now taking their name off of the Michigan ballot ends up winning the nomination? These candidates have thumbed their nose at Michigan voters in favor of Iowa and New Hampshire.

Fast-forward to the general election in November 2008.

Michigan voters will be less inclined to show up to the polls to vote for this candidate because that candidate insulted them less than a year ago. Voters are not stupid, nor do they forget.

Depressed Democratic turnout, coupled with Republicans having campaigned here months longer than Democrats could - and probably will - have a drastic effect on the decision of Michigan electors. This would prove to be a devastating loss to the Democrats.

I implore the Democratic candidates to look down the road to the general election and to reconsider writing off Michigan.