Voter Registration Down, Independents Up, National Scene -- Look At the Independents

What's up? Independent voter registration and identification. What's down? Partisan politics and partisan registration.

NATIONAL

• CNN Poll:Obama Expands Lead To 7 Points, Independent Voters Cool On Romney (Kyle Leighton, TPM) “Among independent voters, the poll indicates President Obama has a 53%-42% lead,” CNN Polling Director Keating Holland told CNN.com. “The president holds a nine point advantage among women voters and a smaller six point edge among men.”
• Ann McFeatters: Watch the rise of independent voters (Newsday) A record number of us now say we are political independents, swiveling our heads right and left as we watch the Democrats and the Republicans try to govern -- and fail. Forty-four percent of Americans insist they are neither Republican nor Democrat, according to Gallup polling. That is about 9 percentage points higher than surveys showed at the same period in 2008, the last presidential election year.

NORTH CAROLINA

• Independentvoters make up a larger share of North Carolina's registry (Fayettesville Observer) Since 2000, the number of unaffiliated voters has grown by 77 percent in Cumberland County and 112 percent statewide, according to an analysis of voter records by The Fayetteville Observer.
• See same article, different version here Inside Politics: Number of independent votersgrowing fast in Cumberland County and North Carolina.

SOUTH DAKOTA

• Voter registration down from four years ago (Ryan Lengerich, Rapid City Journal) Voter registration in South Dakota has dipped since 2008 for Democrats and Republicans, but more voters are declaring their independence. Independent voters increased 7.5 percent since the 2008 general election, to 88,726.
• Same article: Voter registration down in South Dakota, but more residentsregistering independent (The Republic,  Indiana)
• Same article Voter registration down in S.D., but independents up (Sioux City Journal) 

Hankster News of the Day for Independents - May 31

Top picks for today.

The title of the article contains the link to the original, followed by the author and publication, and then a snipit from the article. You can subscribe to this briefing by email at FeedBlitz or choose your favorite newsreader... 

• Independent Voters of America Launches, Dumping on Both Parties (BY Micah L. Sifry, techPresident) Wait a second, isn't that what the just-failed Americans Elect said it was going to do? Actually, no. Says Hillsman, "We are building the largest online community of self-identified independent voters, with the goals of bringing fresh voices and more choices into our politics, acting as a counterweight to the two major political parties, and to reduce gridlock, force progress and bring a new accountability to Washington." Americans Elect sought to create a ballot line for an artificially-engineered "centrist" presidential ticket. The plan with IVA, he says, is "to give self-identified independent voters a gathering place" and then "see where people want to take this."
• The “2nd largest Party” in Arizona, and Russell Pearce and Joe Arpaio supporters don’t want Independents to have an “open primary” (by Dee Dee Garcia Blase, Tucson Citizen/Hispanic Politico) As an independent voter …. I DO SUPPORT THE OPEN PRIMARIES! 
• As We See It: Not-so-open primary election (Santa Cruz Sentinel) Now it appears the only way party organizations can even have a voice is by making an endorsement early, which is what happened in the U.S. Senate race.
• Linda Parks, Open Primary, Stand in Democrats' Path in California (By Scott Bland,National Journal/Hotline) Despite that, Parks has national Democrats scared that she could cost the party a much-needed seat in Congress. As a moderate independent in a crowded race, Parks is positioned perfectly to take advantage of California's new all-party, top-two primary.
• Despite Pres. Nomination SD Has Plenty On Ballot (By Ben Dunsmoor,KELO-land TV) For the first time, registered Independent voters will be able to make their voices heard in a statewide primary. "We're the only party in the state that allows, not just allows but welcomes, Independents into our party to participate in our primary to vote and take an active role in deciding who the Democrat nominee is going to be in the general election," Nesselhuf said.
• Proposal aims to let voters pick their politicians (The Advertiser-Tribune, Tiffin OH) Among eight potential statewide ballot issues this November is a constitutional amendment that would create a non-partisan, independent citizens commission which would be responsible for drawing legislative and congressional boundaries in Ohio.
• CEO In Chief? A Business Background Is Rare For Presidents (By Jim Zarroli, WBUR Boston - NPR) Former Republican Rep. Mickey Edwards says many successful CEOs are good at big-picture thinking — understanding all the component parts of a problem. But Edwards also says that business and politics are very different endeavors, and that someone who succeeds in one won't necessarily do well in another. "To run around saying we must run government like a business is really a silly idea," Edwards says. "It shows a total lack of understanding of the purposes of government."
• Koch Prefers Kelly for Mayor, But Quinn 'Capable' (By Colby Hamilton, WNYC/The Empire) “The basic problem for most people who aren't committed to the existing candidates is a fear that they're all more left than what I think the city is or should be, and the fear that we might go back to the days of [former mayors John] Lindsay and [Abe] Beame and their predecessors with the city seeking to provide benefits that it's not capable of providing financially,” Koch said. “We're fearful--people like myself--that municipal unions will come back into power.”…. Koch said he believes next year’s election will come down to a runoff between Quinn and former city comptroller Bill Thompson.
• Staten Island Sen. Savino endorsed by state Independence Party (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance) Also endorsed by the party were Ms. Savino's fellow members of the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference (IDC): Sens. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx), David Valesky (D-Oneida) and David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange).
• IDC loves gets Indies, loves Morse, mocks Dems (by Jimmy Vielkind, Capitol bureau, Albany Times Union/Capitol Confidential) And both Klein and Savino reacted with some schadenfreude at news of a leadership struggle in the Democratic conference, which they left behind.
• Queens GOP endorsement sets the stage for rare Republican primary - Forest Hills lawyer Juan Reyes and Councilman Eric Ulrich set to face off (By Lisa L. Colangelo / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS) But the Queens Republican Party helped set that in motion last week when it announced the endorsement of Forest Hills lawyer Juan Reyes for the 15th District seat in the state Senate. Republican City Councilman Eric Ulrich, who has been at odds with the county GOP leadership, announced last month he was running to capture the seat currently held by Democratic state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. Queens GOP leaders had been eyeing Reyes for some time, while Ulrich decided whether or not to run.

South Dakota House Bill 1182 Unfair to Independent Candidates

Why are counties not in planning districts? (LETTER Rapid City Journal by Kim Wright, South Dakota Voice of Independents, Rapid City)
House Bill 1182 unfair to independent candidates
House Bill 1182 seeks to revise the filing deadline for the nomination of certain independent candidates. The proposed revision reduces the timeline for independent candidates to circulate nomination petitions for public office.

When Rep. Mark Kirkeby introduced this bill in the House State Affairs Committee, he explained that there is a growing number of South Dakota voters registering as Independent. This is a national trend.
Currently the percent of registered independent voters exceeds the percent of voters registered with either of the major parties.

When asked his rationale for introducing this bill limiting the time frame for independent candidates to collect signatures, secure campaign resources and engage voters, Rep. Kirkeby responded that it was an issue of “fairness.”

I did not have an opportunity to ask for clarification of “fair.” If considering the concept of fairness, I would ask Rep. Kirkeby: Is it fair that Independent candidates must collect considerably more signatures than their major party opponents in order to seek public office? How fair is it that registered Independent voters are denied the right to vote in primary elections?

I would suggest that the rationale for HB 1182 is much more about maintaining political party control than about equitable opportunities.

Kim Wright, South Dakota Voice of Independents
Rapid City

South Dakota Legislature Kills Open Primary Bill

South Dakota Voice of Independents founder Kim Wright emailed last week: As you know SB175 was sent to the senate floor last week in SD only to be completely ignored--no need for debate, bill declared dead.


History of bill in committee here

Text of bill here
Introduced by: Senators Adelstein, Cutler, Holien, and Lederman and Representative Venner

 FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to provide for the participation of independent voters in primary elections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
    Section 1. That § 12-6-2612-6-26 be amended to read as follows:
    12-6-26. If a person is registered as a member of a political party in the precinct in which the person seeks to vote, the person may vote that party's ballot at any primary election. If a person is registered to vote with no party affiliation in the precinct in which that person seeks to vote, the person may vote a single party ballot of that person's choice at any primary election.
    Section 2. That § 12-19-2.6 be amended to read as follows:
    12-19-2.6. If an absentee voter in a primary election is registered as an independent and is eligible to vote more than one ballot style pursuant to § 12-6-26, the voter may specify the voter's ballot style preference on the absentee ballot application. If no ballot style is designated, the absentee voter shall be provided a nonpolitical ballot.
    If an absentee voter in a primary election is registered as an independent and is only eligible to vote one ballot style, the absentee voter shall be provided that ballot style. If more than one ballot style is available and no nonpolitical ballot is available and the absentee voter does not designate the ballot style to be received, no ballot may be provided to the absentee voter.

Also read here

Justice Department: Open Primaries Are OK in Louisiana

Justice Department okays Louisiana open primaries.

BREAKING

• Department of Justice gives approval to Louisiana's open primaries (By Bill Barrow, The Times-Picayune) The change ends the short-lived party primaries used in the 2008 and 2010 federal cycles. It also realigns the structure of federal House and Senate elections with state, parish and municipal races, which have continued under the open-primary system with no interruption. Presidential primaries will remain divided by party.
• Feds OK open congressional primary (POSTED BY MARSHA SHULER | CAPITOL NEWS BUREAU, 2theadvocate) The U.S. Justice Department has approved Louisiana’s return to the open primary system for congressional elections, the state’s elections chief said Tuesday morning. The move will save more than $5 million in election expense and help reduce voter confusion, said Secretary of State Tom Schedler.
• Federal officials approve Louisiana open primary (WWL AM FM New Orleans, Associated Press Reporting)  And in Shreveport Times

OPEN PRIMARIES

• South Dakota Bill to Let Independent Voters Vote in Partisan Primaries (Ballot Access News) Five Republican state legislators in South Dakota have introduced SB 175, which requires political parties to permit independent voters to vote in their primaries. 
• Debra Bowen a likely candidate for Congress (By Torey Van Oot, Sac Bee) A special election to fill Harman's seat would be conducted under the new primary system created under Proposition 14, meaning the two top two vote-getters in the primary advance to a runoff, regardless of their political affiliation. Because it is a special election, a candidate can win outright by taking more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary.
• Winograd's party (Ben Smith, Politico) "We were informed by a colleague of Marcy's last evening that she intended to register as 'decline to state,'" said Los Angeles Democratic Party chairman Eric Bauman, referring to the state's registration for independent voters. 

REDISTRICTING

• Redistricting done right (AS I SEE IT, By Kurt Hayes, Worcester News Telegram) Political data such as voter patterns and party registration should be prohibited from consideration as input for redistricting.
• Fending off GOP criticism, redistricting chairman finds unlikely support (By Kyle Cheney, Statehouse News Service, Needham Wicked Local) Jones said he believed 10 to 12 public hearings would be sufficient for a rigorous process, and he noted that critics of any approved plan have legal avenues to protest the results.
• Va. political districts set to be redrawn (BY JENNIE LYNN PRICE, Delmarva Now.com) In his address to the group, McDonnell said the commission is "bipartisan by definition." He stressed the importance of working across party lines.

OBAMA SPIN

• Americans Think Obama Would Lose In 2012 (By Reid Wilson, National Journal/Hotline On Call) And more voters say, at the moment, they will vote against Obama. Fully 51 percent say they definitely or probably will not vote for Obama, while 47 percent say they're predisposed to vote for him. Independent voters would vote against Obama by a 44 percent to 53 percent margin, while he would win moderates by a much larger 55 percent to 45 percent margin.
• Poll: Obama & Menendez numbers heading up (By: CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser)

NO LABELS

• Political Groups Compete to Represent the Center (By MICHAEL D. SHEAR, NY Times/The Caucus) “No Labels reflects the changing times and the growth of the independents — a larger number than either of the two parties,” said Nancy Jacobson, one of the founders of the group. “No Labels has been formed to provide a home to citizens that believe its time for the voice of the majority to be heard in Washington. The truth is, a new coalition needs to be made and nurtured.”

LOCAL INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGNS

• New mayoral candidate won’t accept contributions (WANE - Fort Wayne IN) “The citizens of Fort Wayne deserve an option of a candidate who is independent of either party. One that will, when elected, approach the city needs with bipartisanship and common sense,” said Ahrendt. 

NEW YORK

• DA: NYC mayor testified in probe into politico (By JENNIFER PELTZ - Associated Press, Fresno Bee) Prosecutors say Haggerty got the Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent Bloomberg and his political advisers to give $1.1 million from the billionaire mayor's personal fortune to finance a state Independence Party ballot security effort in the fall of 2009.
• Bloomberg Testified in Secret - Mayor Was Called Before Grand Jury in Case of Operative Charged With Theft (By MICHAEL HOWARD SAUL, Wall Street Journal) The mayor's testimony before the grand jury came as a surprise to the attorneys representing the operative, John Haggerty Jr., who worked as a volunteer on Mr. Bloomberg's 2009 re-election campaign and most recently on Carl Paladino's 2010 gubernatorial bid. Mr. Haggerty, 42 years old, has pleaded not guilty.

IT BEARS REPEATING

• Change to believe in - Former Commissioner Riddle takes on major parties (By Heather Scofield, Durango Herald) Joelle Riddle, having recently ended her term as a county commissioner, is beginning a “grass-roots effort” to change the face of politics in Colorado.

LAST WORD

• Protesters Take New Ground in Cairo (By CHARLES LEVINSON And SAM DAGHER, Wall Street Journal) Demonstrators demanding the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak took over new ground, expanding their protests to the parliament building a few blocks from their encampment at Tahrir Square.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 7/21/10

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• A Year After Honeymoon Ends, Whites, Men and Independents Desert Obama (By Peter Brown, Wall Street Journal/Capital Journal) But today, the numbers for those three groups show just how far he has fallen. He gets a positive job approval from just 37% of whites, 38% of independents and 39% of men – a roughly 30% drop in all three groups in his support.
• Letter: Partisans put party before country (The Advocate) The most damaging aspect of conservatives and liberals is that they believe that, in order for this country to survive, everyone should conform to their beliefs. These people are more loyal to their party than they are to our country.... The voters in this country at one time were Americans who joined political parties; now they are Republicans and Democrats who live in America.

OPEN PRIMARIES

• ARIZONA: Important information for ALL voters (by three-sonorans, Tucson Citizen) “Since Arizona is an open primary state, even independent voters or those who are not affiliated with a political party may vote,” continued Ms. Rodriguez. “Just designate which political party’s ballot you want at the time you make your request.”
• TENNESSEE: Crossville, Tenn., woman denied GOP primary vote (By: Associated Press, Times Free Press)

SOUTH DAKOTA

• Independent vies for U.S. House seat - Custer resident: Democrats, GOP are out of touch (JONATHAN ELLIS, Argus Leader)

SOUTH CAROLINA

• Fourth Circuit Upholds South Carolina Restriction on Fusion (Ballot Access News)
• Appeals court rules against SC Green Party (The Associated Press, The Sun News-Myrtle Beach)

NEW YORK

• The WFP & Pedro the piker (NY Post) What's really bleeding New York dry is the transactional nature of all Albany politics -- especially when it comes to the public- and quasi-public-sector unions that effectively created the WFP in the first place.
• Indy Party chief in jam over wife loan (By DAVID SEIFMAN, City Hall Bureau Chief, EXCLUSIVE, NY Post) Word of the possible pay-to-play conduct by the Independence Party comes amid an ongoing probe by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who is looking at the party's role in funneling money from Mayor Bloomberg's campaign to a former aide, John Haggerty, who has since been indicted on grand-larceny charges.
• Independence Party reverses endorsements, favors incumbents (By Robert J. McCarthy, Buffalo News) The unusual moves by State Chairman Frank MacKay and his Executive Committee means the Independence line now goes to incumbent Democrat William T. Stachowski instead of Democratic challenger Timothy M. Kennedy in the 58th Senate District; to incumbent Assemblyman Sam Hoyt instead of Democratic challenger Joseph Golombek Jr. in the 144th Assembly District, and to Republican James P. Domagalski instead of primary challenger Patrick Gallivan in the 59th Senate District.
• Padavan Scores Independence Line, But Como Is Blocked (By Chris Bragg, City Hall News) “They never make us look good here in Queens,” Niebauer said. “We’ll see what happens. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
• For 2nd consecutive day, a Staten Islander deals blow to Independence Party (Tom Wrobleski, SI Advance) "It was a non-partisan election," said Tabacco, who is looking to run for Congress this year. "I didn't need the endorsement."

NYC CHARTER REVISION

• Moonlighting Council Members (by Courtney Gross, Gotham Gazette)
• Nonpartisan Elections, Continued (Gotham Gazette) In their comments Citizens Union officials cited declining voter turnout and the fact that many elections were decided in the Democratic primary — not open to some 1.5 million registered New York voters who are not Democrats. While other ideas — changing the voting calendar, for example, or allowing Election Day registration — might increase turnout — Dadey said, “Top two is the best way the charter commission can open up the process.”

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

Newsweek's Jonathan Alter has some interesting observations about independents, open primaries and power in the American electoral system... Must Reading for independent voters!!!

• While waiting at JFK in New York on part of my relaxing 12-hour flight to Ft. Myers Florida last week (more about that later!), I had trouble logging in to the webcast of the American Citizens' Summit hosted by the Transpartisan Alliance, but here's a Green Party press release and a post by Ordinary Person  and by Georgia Independents that gives you a sense of the participation.
  

• Tennessee state legislature entertains partisan registration bill -- would you want these people telling you what party you belong to???
  
• Dan Walters' on the rise of independent voters and the prospect of open primaries in California
  
• South Dakota legislature gives parties rights to closed primaries -- are they horse trading with voters' rights?
  
• Greg Mitchell, editor of Editor and Publisher, has a new book out "Why Obama Won", noting effect of independent voters
  
• Barry Rascover in Maryland nails the problem with the Repubs, doesn't get the trend: Independents voted for Obama, but that doesn't make us Dems...
  

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Kranz: The color purple-Some consider South Dakota's hue different when it comes to elections (Argus Leader)
• EDITORIAL: Independent voters (Washington Times) Much of the mystery surrounding independent voters has been revealed and the discovery, through polls, media coverage and intense study of the last two presidential cycles, is that independent voters are not that different from partisan voters. [NOTE: You gotta wonder what the Washington Times is so afraid of! -NH]

REFORM

• Our country needs redistricting reform (San Antonio Express-News)
• Take political districts out of the hands of politicians (The Desert Sun)
• Editorial: Keep supporting redistricting reforms in PA (Pocono Record)
• Five want Democratic nod in US House Dist. 8 race (Daily Commercial - Leesburg FL) It's all about reform...

CAMPAIGN
McCain needs Michigan independents to win Michigan (The Flint Journal News Service)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• S.D. keeps gaining independent voters (Argus Leader) Republicans have lost some of their edge in voter registration since 1970 in South Dakota, but the shift largely has gone to independents, not Democrats, election records suggest.
• Iowa expected to be electoral battleground (Waterloo and Cedar Falls Iowa News) One of the reasons Iowa is considered a battleground state is its large group of independent voters.

OPEN PRIMARIES

• CALIFORNIA: David Little: Protest vote cast in primary (Chico Enterprise-Record) Blindly going to the polls because the politicians tell us to only makes them believe we lemmings will do anything they say.
• OREGON: Petitioner scarcity-Voters will still consider as many as 10 initiatives on the ballot this fall (The Register-Guard)
• IDAHO: Beck, Ron Paul supporter join in bid to oust ID's GOP head (Idaho Press)

SOUTH CAROLINA FUSION
Obama Could Conceivably Be Listed Four Times on South Carolina Ballot (Ballot Access News) Probably Dems, SC Working Families Party, United Citizens Party, and possibly SC Independence Party...

CAMPAIGN
Black Americans mark mileston of Obama campaign (StarNewsOnline - Wilmington DE)

POLITICS AND RELIGION
On politics and faith/Let's face it: Religion looms large (Boulder Daily Camera) The Pew Forum reports that only about 16 percent of Americans define themselves as "unaffiliated" with any organized religion.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Political Shift To Independent Voters (Keloland TV) In January, South Dakota lawmakers rejected a proposal that would have allowed independent voters to participate in primary elections.
• Decline-to-state voters need to know they have options (Ventura County Star)
• Voter Registration Hits a New High (KPBS)
• Deep thoughts on filing week and the top two primary (Tri City Herald)
• Mississippi: Upheaval averted (Daily Journal) Mississippians clearly want the option to vote in any primary they wish.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

CAMPAIGN

• Clinton 'storms' into Vermillion to support Hillary (Sioux City Journal) Some, like Vermillion resident Gretchen Burbach, are independent voters who are still trying to make up their minds.
• Obama angles for showcase win in Montana (AP Google) The primary is open to all voters, and the Democratic race is expected to attract crossover Republicans and independent voters.
• Poll: Wash. voters favor any Dem over McCain (Seattle Post Intelligencer) Obama had a higher proportion of Independent voters than both McCain and Clinton.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• `Restless' Independents, Not Parties, May Select U.S. President (By Heidi Przybyla, Bloomberg.com) Independents are the ``restless and anxious moderates,'' and their profile has ``broadened significantly'' over the past decade, Democratic pollster Doug Schoen said.
• South Dakota: The New Voice of Independence Party (V.I.P.) is Forming (Press Release from emediawire.com)

NORTH CAROLINA

• About 600 Dukies register to vote (Duke Chronicle) According to statistics from the Board of Elections, 545 of the total individuals registered were either Democratic or unaffiliated, qualifying them to vote in the May 6 showdown between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
• Business owner launches ballot bid (Fayetteville Observer - NC) David Lisenby, a 57-year-old small-business owner in Laurinburg, says he doesn’t have much use for any of the presidential candidates this year — or the two major parties.

OPEN PRIMARIES

• WA: Republicans may benefit from 'top two' primary format (Yakima Herald-Republic)
• Give more attention to state's 375,000 'unaffiliated' voters (Pennsylvania Patriot) Has the time come for Pennsylvania to consider allowing voters registered as nonpartisan to participate in party primaries?

RELIGION & POLITICS

• A Rapidly Changing Flock Losing Our Religion (From The Pew Forum On Religion And Public Life-The Tampa Tribune)
• Compassion Forum Clings to Religion (Christianity Today) Even the president of the Messiah College Republicans said the presumptive Republican nominee hurt himself, particularly with religious conservatives, by declining an invitation to participate. CNN transcript of Compassion Forum
• America is entering a secular era (E.J. Dionne - Statesman Journal) Obama has been explicit about the need to broker political peace between Democrats and believers. "If we don't reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, then the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons and Alan Keyeses will continue to hold sway," he said at a 2006 meeting organized by the progressive evangelical Jim Wallis.
• Clinton, Obama put politics aside to discuss faith (CNN Election Center) For years, the evangelical community has largely supported Republican presidential candidates. However this year, evangelical leaders have split over presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, who is struggling to mend fences with some evangelical luminaries like James Dobson who have expressed disappointment with his selection.
• FOR MORE ON THIS SUBJECT, see Marcia Ford's We The Purple: Faith, Politics and the Independent Voter

Weekend News Headlines for Independent Voters

INDEPENDENT VOTERS:

• Pew: Most Americans Identify As Independents (By Justin Gardner, Donklephant)
• Voter registration up in Mohave County AZ (Lake Havasu News Herald)
• More people are listening to preachers (John Laird, The Columbian)

OPEN PRIMARIES: State has second chance at open primary system (By DAN WALTERS, Sac Bee)

PENNSYLVANIA:

• Obama invites Pennsylvanians to join the party-In an effort to dent Clinton's lead, his campaign is asking Republican and independent voters to register as Democrats. (Los Angeles Times)
• A Democratic contest worth their effort-looking at independents (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• In Pa., Obama focuses on popular vote totals-looking for new and indie voters (Boston Globe)
• Democrats increase their numbers as primary deadline nears (Beaver County & Allegheny Times)

DELAWARE: Party loyalty proves weak-Democratic race for governor one reason for switch (The News Journal)

SOUTH DAKOTA: Primary closed - for now (Argus Leader)

ARIZONA: Political notebook: Democrats gaining, Republicans losing voters in state (East Valley Tribune)

ZOGBY POLL: Yepsen: Democrats self-destructing as primary fight drags on (Des Moines Register)

INDEPENDENTS AND REV WRIGHT: Understanding Your World: Obama's Speech Has Power to Unite (The Santa Fe New Mexican/Reprinted in Black Enterprise)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Opening Up the Primary Gates (The Century Foundation)
• State GOP vulnerable to Obama effect (The Southtown Star) SurveyUSA: Obama stomps McCain with independent voters 60 to 29, while Clinton has a slight lead, 39-36.
• Tripartisanship: Independent voters surge in state (The Oklahoman Editorial)
• Editorial: Keep party primary private-Let Democrats decide who runs for White House (Editorial Board • Argus Leader)
• The primary party switch-March 24 deadline looms for voter registration, re-registration (The Sentinel)
• Views on Pa. primary race continue to evolve-The latest: State is important but not the clincher. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Weekend News Headlines for Independent Voters

INDEPENDENT VOTERS: The specter of McCain Democrats (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

PENNSYLVANIA:

• State rules sideline a million voters (The Morning Call)
• Democrats are swinging for suburban Phila. votes-Obama is seen as a lock to win the city, but not necessarily the region. The surrounding counties could lean more toward Clinton. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Voters switch for primaries (Chester Daily Local) Of them, five said they planned to vote for Obama and one said he planned to vote for Clinton. One was an Independent, three were Republicans and two were new registrants.
• Local Obama supporters push voter registration as deadline nears (Pocono Record) “If you’re registered as an Independent voter in northeast Pa., you really don’t have a voice in elections..."

WEST VIRGINIA: Heated race has W.Va. Democrats in rare position (Bluefield Daily Telegraph) Independents can vote in either party primary for first time on May 13

NADER IN ZOGBY POLL: Zogby Poll: McCain Bests Both Obama, Clinton (Newsmax.com)

ALASKA INDEPENDENCE PARTY: Alaska Ballot Access Reform Bill Has Hearing (Ballot Access News)

FLORIDA: Independents Voting In Party Primaries? (The Ledger blog)

SOUTH DAKOTA: Daschle helping state party recruiting (Rapid City Journal)

IDAHO: Legislation would change Idaho's primary system (Times-News)

OREGON: Let's replace the primary (Albany Democrat Herald)

Daschle: South Dakota's independent voters should be included in the primary Jun 3rd

South Dakota's Democratic Party is considering opening its June 3rd primary to independent voters and former Senator Tom Daschle says it sounds like a good idea. (KXMC - Sioux Falls)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Amid record-low ratings, Congress goes home for the summer break trying to distance themselves from their beltway partisanship (CQ Politics)
• Do the neo-cons need Karl Rove when they can count on the Democrats? (The Free Press)
• Obama in New Hampshire: "If I go in there alone, I am not going to bring about change, even if I am elected. If we don’t change the dynamics of Congress, then I’ll just be a figurehead, and the same government will function and the same gridlock will reign.’’ (Nashua Telegraph)
• Camden NJ City Council vote s a return to partisan elections (Courier Post)
• South Dakota voters are independent (Argus Leader)
• Florida independents should ignore this advice... (South Florida Sun Sentinel)