Democrats touted victories in local Charlotte elections as a precursor to 2012.
And this headline from WSOC-TV in Charlotte helps explain how it happened: "Democrats win big with 23K straight-ticket votes."
It's a storyline that Republican lawmakers want to make sure never happens again. In the legislature's efforts to rewrite elections -- largely at Democrats expense -- an effort to require voters to present an ID is getting the most attention. But legislation that would end straight-party voting also could prove effective in limiting Democratic support.
If voters can't pull just one figurative lever, they may not vote for all the party's candidates -- and that may help Republicans in Charlotte, at least. Only 11,000 Republicans used straight-party voting in an election that delivered a 9-2 Democratic majority to the city council.
Comments
GOP should take care with straight party ballots.
November 10, 2011 - 4:02pm — ncpatriotThings are always shifting in politics and reactions to them frequently lead to unintended consequences. For years the GOP fought for non-partisan election of judges--partly on principle and partly because they saw it as the only way a Republican could make it to the bench. After the GOP party label became assoicated with law and ordeer and Republicans were dominating the state courts, suddenly the Democrats rallied to the long held Republican position. Fast forward and see what non-partisan elections have done. Now it is not just Democrats but plantiff's advocates on the courts.
How straight party voting plays out depends on where, the year, and trends from the future. One of those trends might well be more independents and both entrenched parties may long for the good old days of the straight ballot.