Voting as an Independent

The primary is not a good time for an Independent. The primary for Fort Wayne Indiana voters is limited to the Democrats and the Republicans. In Fort Wayne, the party participates are one and the same. However, this does not mean an independent can not vote. Independent usually don't vote because in doing so they are participating in a process that is discriminatory to the majority of voters.

Nevertheless, an Independent voters can vote in the primary, if they feel strongly about participating in the outcome. I went to a meeting and I heard Andy Down state the fact that only the Democrats or Republicans can vote. Downs, is a political science instructor, at our local junior college, Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne. I say this because Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne is not really a junior college but it has that feel it it, when compared to scholarly University. Indiana Purdue is a cliche college filled too many friends of friends, not great innovative minds. IPFW lacks the diversity of inclusive, but representative a slice of America.

Downs represents that part of America. Limited participation in the political process by its citizens is a challenge to the local Democratic party which Downs represents. The founding father crafted a document that excluded so many in America. The founding father took ideas from a few and applied against the majority. And so it is with the Democratic party locally that represents a few on the North Side, cliches, so founding fatherist. So, as I listened to Downs utter the words that the primary is for the Democrats and the Republicans, I smiled. I smiled because I knew I was get another chance to point out the discriminatory practices that exist in my fair city.

An Independent can vote. But an Independent must select either Democrat or Republican during the primary. No other party type are listed on the primary ballot. But that does not mean an Independent can not vote. As an Independent I have not voted in a primary election since 1995. Because I love my status as an Independent.

But guess what? If you goes to the election board they will tell you that I belong to a certain party. I am an Independent, I don't belong to either party. But..

Now if I chose to vote, this election I am not restrict to voting for the same party that I voted for in 1995. However, once I select a candidate, I will be labeled as belonging to that party, Democrat or Republican. Voting in the primary is a discriminatory process. Normally, it's been easy to sit out the primary, because both party candidates represented at least to me, the lessor of both evil. But this year, I willing to risk being placed in a box, by participating in the discriminatory process. This does not mean I am not an Independent. It just means I impacted the outcome in a discriminatory process.

I will still be an Independent. But on paper, I will give the number crunch a box to place me in. So, an Independent can vote in the primary, but they often will sit out the primary and wait on the general election. But, this election offers more than just the usual slice of America. But, I can vote in the primary.