Sublimation Act [LAW'D]

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Should we maybe come up with a separate category to distinguish de-registered voters from people who chose to register Independent?

Maybe just register them as "No Party" or "Not Enrolled in Party" until they choose to re-register?

I don't see why that'd be necessary... "Independent" is essentially the same as "Not Enrolled In Party" (it's the official term for Independent in Massachusetts)

The difference is that people here make the deliberate decision to register as Independent. It's a recognized and likely permanent category of people, as enduring as any party, who posted their enrollment in the New Register thread explicitly as Independent.

With this bill we're talking about folks who just got forcibly booted out of their party. My whole problem with the original language here is that it treats the Independent category like a garbage can where people are sent who will either re-affiliate or languish for months until they are removed from the voter rolls. These people are not true Independents; they just don't have a party anymore.

The Independent category is for people who either don't have a party, or do not wish to be in a party. I fail to see why the Independent brand would somehow be tainted by ex-Party Members who, either temporarily or permanently were registered as Independent.

I have respect for those who are registered Independent, but this doesn't sully the Independent brand. One who is truly independent would not be dragged down or effected by someone else who wound up in the Independent registration by dint of circumstance.

Maybe true, though I still don't think amending "Independent" to "No Party" in this bill would really undermine it in anyway.

[Bacon King]

Senators, we're now voting to amend the bill as follows. Please vote aye, nay, or abstain.

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[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Aye.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Aye

[Hans-im-Glück]

AYE

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Aye

[Franzl]

Aye

[bgwah]

aye

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I have reservations about this. I know the purpose is to clean up the voter rolls but really that drop takes care of itself for the most part as most of the dead weight bearing the old name of a dead party will get the boot after a set time. Those who remain and don't reregister should be regarded as preferring their current registration over any alternative and yes that can be dealt with via them reregistering. I don't think any system should be establish where the actions of one person or group of people will control what another person's party registration is. As such I will be voting Nay on the Final Vote of this bill. If I 51% decide to disband the party, I am just the sort of person who would demand that everyone of them forgo the disbanding vote and leave even if it means I am all alone. And no, the ability to reregister under that name is not enough, it will be official a different party. That crosses a line in my opinion. I am sure most of the Senate will disagree with me on this, and thats great because you have the freedom to do so.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Just specifying for those that were unsure (but I doubt this changes any opinions),

No party would be empowered to do so unless they had specifically amended their by-laws to have such a mechanism.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Just specifying for those that were unsure (but I doubt this changes any opinions),

No party would be empowered to do so unless they had specifically amended their by-laws to have such a mechanism.

Oh thats good, otherwise my plan for dealing this passing wouldn't work.

[Badger]

AYE.

[bullmoose88]

Aye

[Bacon King]

The amendment's been accepted! Normal debate continues. Anyone have anything else to add? Otherwise I think this is good for a final vote soon.

[Bacon King]

Okay Senators, final vote time. Please vote aye, nay, or abstain.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Aye.

[Bacon King]

Aye

[Badger]

AYE.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Nay for the previously stated reasons.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Aye - even though I sympathize with Yankee's argument.

[Hans-im-Glück]

AYE

[Bacon King]

Fives ayes and one nay... One more vote to pass.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Aye

[Bacon King]

This bill has passed, Senators have 24 hours to change their votes.

[bullmoose88]

Aye