Why register with any political party at all?
Our system of government was established as a Republic. The premise of a Republic is governance by the people through elected representatives that carry out the will of those who voted for them. Though political parties were considered detrimental at the founding of our Republic, ideological differences between Alexander Hamilton who favored a Central government over State sovereignty (called Federalism) and Thomas Jefferson who strongly advocated State sovereignty (called Democrat-Republicans) created the concept of our current “two-party system.”
As this system evolved into the current “Democrat” and “Republican” parties as well as “third-parties” this system of electing representatives produced laws and regulations at the state and federal levels that allow for citizens to align themselves with ideological beliefs and subsequent policies advanced by candidates that best represent their wishes while also helping to maintain a sense of order against subversive rogue forces seeking to undermine our system of government and/or circumvent our Constitution.
There are exceptions such as states that allow a voter to register as “No Party Preference” which permits a candidate to run at the state level but and does not allow those registered as such to run for President or vote for Presidential candidates in primaries.
Registering with a Party that best represents your personal values and desires for those elected as your representative(s) helps advance those desires through a collective coalition of others who agree with you and you with them.
Isn’t registering with a party that is not well known self-defeating by “throwing away” my vote?
This belief is subject to perspective. American politics has evolved to a place where the current two party system has been manipulated by forces behind the scenes that historically keep the two major political parties in power regardless of their lack of qualifications or moral fiber. It’s not a stretch to state these “forces” (known as The Establishment) are virtually apolitical in their ideological beliefs but rather base their advancement of policies and programs on power and profit. The Establishment has been extremely successful in selling the narrative that to change Party affiliation outside of one of the two major parties does not serve any purpose because there is no power in relatively small numbers.
But the question must be asked, “If you are voting for a candidate (or slate of candidates) of your current chosen Party but believe those candidates do not represent your values and best interests, isn’t that also ‘throwing away’ your vote?”
On the other hand if you vote your values through a lesser publicized candidate you are stating your opposition to the current actions of the Party you are registered with. To believe your vote does not matter if cast for a third party candidate is essentially the same as voting for someone who does not represent you. If enough voters vote their values the “third party” can become a major party. Abraham Lincoln was a “third party” candidate running for what has become today’s Republican Party. So it can be done.
If I register with a Party other than the one I’m currently registered with, how will this affect my vote in Primaries?
Depending on what state you live in determines what happens to your vote in Primary Elections. Registering in any Party not recognized under respective state laws may limit your vote in a State Primary if the Party you have registered with is not a recognized Party by that state.
However, in a General Election there is no mandate you vote with any respective Party so you are allowed to vote for any candidate(s) regardless of what Party you are registered with.
If you reside in a state like California which has adopted an “Open Primary” format (the top two vote getters regardless of Party) it matters not what Party you are registered with in the Primaries.
How many parties are currently recognized by the State of California?
The State of California has two means by which a political Party is recognized by the State and afterwards allowed to place candidates or submit issues on a ballot. They are through petition or voter registration. The California Conservative Party has chosen to qualify through petition.
To qualify a new political party by petition, no later than 135 days prior to the primary election or the presidential general election, the Secretary of State must determine if a political body intending to qualify collected petition signatures of registered voters equal to 10 percent of the votes cast at the last gubernatorial election. (Elections Code §§ 5100(c), 5151(d).).
Currently there are six (6) recognized Parties allowed to place candidates and/or issues for public vote on a ballot.
- American Independent Party
- Democratic Party
- Green Party
- Libertarian Party
- Peace and Freedom Party
- Republican Party
What do I get for registering with the Conservative Party USA?
The California Conservative Party is an Affiliate of The Conservative Party USA. There are two levels of membership in The Conservative Party USA.
Non-voting: This is for those who just wish to register with the Party’s website to receive updates (Conservative News) as to any activity taking place within the Party itself. This includes notification on issues, endorsements and any issues or concerns leadership determines is important. All this requires is submitting your email from the site.
Voting: This requires a membership fee of no less than $25 (Amounts over the $25 are credited as a contribution to the National Party for operational expenses. Payment of $75 or more will receive a 46 page pocket Constitution).
This qualifies you as a voting member who will also be asked through various polls what direction you wish the Party to go during election campaigns, as well as endorsements of candidates submitted for election.
You will receive a Membership Certificate suitable for framing and a high quality decal you can use to publicize your affiliation with the Party. Registering as a member will also place you automatically on the California Conservative Party voter roll.
NOTE: Becoming a member at any level of the California Conservative Party Affiliate or the Conservative Party USA DOES NOT register you with the Party for voting eligibility in State or Federal elections. That is a separate action accomplished through the California Secretary of State. Registration can be done online.