BeenaBobba Posted October 4, 2004 Share Posted October 4, 2004 Hi y'all, Not to sound stupid, but I have a few voting questions: 1.) I registered to vote for the 2000 elections. Do I have to register again? 2.) Last time I voted, I wasn't serious about pro-life issues, and I registered as a Democrat. I also voted for Gore. Anyhow, I was planning on changing my party affiliation to "unaffiliated," but I think I've passed the deadline to do so. As a registered Democrat (if I'm still registered that way, that is), will I be able to vote for pro-life Republicans, e.g., Bush? Frankly, I'm undecided about whether I'm more Republican or Democrat, pro-life, pro-family issues apart. That's to say that I don't know if I could rightly call myself a pro-life, anti-gay "marriage" Democrat. If I am unable to change my party affiliation to "unaffiliated," will that be dishonest and therefore wrong? Any advice and comments would be very appreciated! Thanks and God bless, Jen P.S. In case you're wondering, I accept Catholic Answers' Voting Guide, and I plan on voting according to those guidelines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathoholic Posted October 4, 2004 Share Posted October 4, 2004 (edited) Oh cool, I get to reply first... [quote]1.) I registered to vote for the 2000 elections. Do I have to register again?[/quote] -No [quote]2.) Last time I voted, I wasn't serious about pro-life issues, and I registered as a Democrat. I also voted for Gore. Anyhow, I was planning on changing my party affiliation to "unaffiliated," but I think I've passed the deadline to do so. As a registered Democrat (if I'm still registered that way, that is), will I be able to vote for pro-life Republicans, e.g., Bush? Frankly, I'm undecided about whether I'm more Republican or Democrat, pro-life, pro-family issues apart. That's to say that I don't know if I could rightly call myself a pro-life, anti-gay "marriage" Democrat. If I am unable to change my party affiliation to "unaffiliated," will that be dishonest and therefore wrong? [/quote] Same here, I also registered as a democrat but later someone suckered me into changing my party affiliation to republican (I think they gave me one of those things to scratch your back with... shows how much I cared about voting back then) and later to Independent thinking it meant "non-partisan." Anywho you do not have to vote democrat, I had a political science teacher who was also a registered democrat yet was a hard-core republican voter. For a while I was also undecided on that whole party thing and before being Republican or Democrat I am CATHOLIC and will vote like one. Don't feel guilty if you can't change your affiliation before the election and less about being pro-life and democrat, they should be ashamed to call themselves Catholic and pro-death[i]ofanunbornchild[/i]. You will have the option to vote for other candidates and (Glad to hear you accept the "Voting Guide for Serious Catholics... It's awesome) to make your voice heard. Who knows maybe the Democratic party will notice a registered democrat voting as a Catholic and maybe change some of their policies... nah! we're talking politics here. Anywho, hope that helps and remember when doing anything (yes, even voting) AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIA PS. Zoning in on this area[quote]I'm undecided about whether I'm more Republican or Democrat, pro-life, pro-family issues apart.[/quote] (and I say this with love) We can NOT say pro-family issues appart. Those issues are NON-NEGOTIABLES and saying that you are an anti-gay marriages, pro-life Democrat(and I exaggerate with the comparison... just a tad) is like saying you are a Catholic who does not believe in Jesus' resurrection from the dead as it does not pertain to your salvation. Edited October 4, 2004 by cathoholic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Wednesday Posted October 4, 2004 Share Posted October 4, 2004 One time I sat in the confessional after I became more informed about the importance of pro-life voting. I looked at my priest and said, "Father, I voted for Clinton in 96." We both looked at each other for a second, and then both started laughing. It was just a funny moment at the time. He knew I was serious though. We went on to discuss the non-negotiables in voting, like abortion and all that. I don't even know what I'm registered as. Are we always registered as something? I guess I'll ask them when I vote. I don't think the issue is what you're registered as. Obviously the Church doesn't endorse a political party or stand for one party over another as much as she does the importance of certain issues like abortion, life and family. I took a quiz once and it said I was a "moderate Democrat" which made me laugh. (I have no political affiliation.) My uncle was Democrat but is now a raging Republican. (Don't we all have some crazy overtly political uncle in our family?) While he was still registered Dem but after he switched over to the Republican party before the paperwork went through, he would vote for really bad candidates to try to screw up the Democratic vote in the Democratic primaries on purpose. He said one time he voted for Jesse Jackson in a primary in an attempt to cause problems. There are some pro-life/pro-family Democrats out there, they are a rarity though. They are trying to change their party from the inside out, which is a noble idea. I think they ought to start their own party, though. And don't get me started with pro-choice Republicans! I guess the best answer regarding political affiliation is, as far as I'm concerned is: "not Republican or Democrat. Catholic." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest T-Bone Posted October 4, 2004 Share Posted October 4, 2004 [quote](Don't we all have some crazy overtly political uncle in our family?) [/quote] ahem....I'm [i]that[/i] uncle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest T-Bone Posted October 4, 2004 Share Posted October 4, 2004 [quote]Anyhow, I was planning on changing my party affiliation to "unaffiliated," [/quote] Stay registered to a party. It is the only way to vote in the primary, which actually gives you way more power than voting in the general election. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeenaBobba Posted October 5, 2004 Author Share Posted October 5, 2004 [quote name='cathoholic' date='Oct 4 2004, 03:02 AM'] PS. Zoning in on this area (and I say this with love) We can NOT say pro-family issues appart. Those issues are NON-NEGOTIABLES and saying that you are an anti-gay marriages, pro-life Democrat(and I exaggerate with the comparison... just a tad) is like saying you are a Catholic who does not believe in Jesus' resurrection from the dead as it does not pertain to your salvation. [/quote] I think you misunderstood what I meant. Honestly, I wasn't trying to say that those issues don't matter. They are the most important issues to me. I was just saying that I don't know if I'm more Republican or Democrat when it comes to other issues, like economics, the death penalty, etc. Regardless, pro-life, pro-family issues are the most important, and I base my vote around those issues, which is why I won't be voting for Kerry. The question was whether I should stay registered as a pro-life, pro-family Democrat when I might not even agree with many of the [i]other[/i] issues they stand for. See what I'm saying? Anyhow, I know that abortion, embryonic stem cell research, etc. trump issues like war, the death penalty, and economics in terms of importance. Just wanted to clear that up. God bless, Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted October 5, 2004 Share Posted October 5, 2004 [quote name='BeenaBobba' date='Oct 5 2004, 03:43 AM'] I think you misunderstood what I meant. Honestly, I wasn't trying to say that those issues don't matter. They are the most important issues to me. I was just saying that I don't know if I'm more Republican or Democrat when it comes to other issues, like economics, the death penalty, etc. Regardless, pro-life, pro-family issues are the most important, and I base my vote around those issues, which is why I won't be voting for Kerry. The question was whether I should stay registered as a pro-life, pro-family Democrat when I might not even agree with many of the [i]other[/i] issues they stand for. See what I'm saying? Anyhow, I know that abortion, embryonic stem cell research, etc. trump issues like war, the death penalty, and economics in terms of importance. Just wanted to clear that up. God bless, Jennifer [/quote] Jennifer, one benefit of belonging to either party is that you get to vote in the party primary to determine who the candidate is. Don't forget that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeenaBobba Posted October 5, 2004 Author Share Posted October 5, 2004 For people out there who are faithful Catholics, 100% pro-life and pro-family, and who agree with the Democrats when it comes to war, the death penalty and economics, but dislike pro-abortion politicians running for that party, I think it's important that they try to claim the D.P. back for life. If other Democrats see that registered Democrats aren't voting for anti-life candidates, they might think twice about supporting abortion. God bless, Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phazzan Posted October 5, 2004 Share Posted October 5, 2004 I'm 20 and as it happens I still haven't registered to vote! If I get caught (one day I will) I'll cop a hefty fine and three years imprisonment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven77 Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 I got a few questions: Voting for Senate and Congress candidates are very important---wevoteprolife.com was a big help! But what about Circuit Court Judges... and how do i find out them ? and am i irresponsible if i skip the Board of Education, misc. stuff? HELP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven77 Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 anybody//?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinner Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Register Rep or Dem...... or you have no say in the primary. Now the bias..... Register Rep, all the non-negotiables are party supported. I find it difficult to see the argument of how Catholics are Democrats with the current Democratic stance on the non-negotiables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justfran Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Do any of the parties in the US let their members give conscience votes regarding these things like gay "marriage", abortion, stem cell research, etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azriel Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Registered Democrat. Always Catholic. Us Pro Life Dems are in the minority but in very good company. It doesn't matter what you are registered as ... as far as who you vote for. You can vote for whomever you like. But, those guys up there are right .... being able to vote in the primary is a big reason to choose a party affliation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luthien Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 This is my first election, and what an important election it is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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