Primarily Perplexed
The recent Democratic Party primary in our fair city has me somewhat perplexed.
First of all- my congratulations to all the winners. Whatever the method a given political organization has decided to use, for a person to be selected by their peers to be the best exemplar of what their party stands for is a great honor.
Congratulations to all.
I was nonetheless perplexed, when I learn that the recent primaries were conducted at the public’s expense. It seems that the cost of the voting machines, ballots, use of buildings, and all the rest were all paid for by taxpayers.
At first I thought that my source for this information was mistaken. “Surely,” I thought “choosing candidates to run in elections in an internal party matter. How could it be that the City of West Haven foots the tab for this?”
Yet it seems to be true- the taxpayers are presented with the bill. I have heard the figure of $70,000 mentioned, but have been unable to confirm it.
I thought that this might be a West Haven oddity, a case of the “friendliest city” thing a bit too far. Not so. The New Haven Democratic Party has gone through a similar exercise, and it too has presented the bill to the public. In Middebury, Oxford, and North Stonington the Republicans did the same.
Now it is true that in some countries there is something referred to as a “run-off” election. It is often used in countries where parties are more plentiful. Where there are more political parties contending, the purpose of this preliminary election is to narrow the field to the top two contenders. The idea is to ensure that the candidate who wins does so by a majority, not just a plurality.
The United States is not one of those countries.
So how is it that this primary business came about?
I am not entirely sure, but while doing some research on the question, I learned that it only involves the Democratic and Republican parties.
Who knew?
Well, obviously the Republicans and Democrats did, because they have been presenting the bill to the public for years.
Surprising as it may seem, it is all codified in state law. Every city, town, and village is required to have Registrars (note the plural noun), one for each of the ‘principle’ parties, who apparently are otherwise incapable of keeping track of their members.
The “primary election” is a fraud. By its very exclusivity, it undermines any pretense of being democratic; all it is a subsidy for their internecine squabbles.
Somehow, the two parties have come up with a scheme by which the cost of keeping their duopoly in business is passed on to the public.
Whatever the origins of this perverse arrangement, it should be put to an end. Any political party that requires taxpayer dollars to remain viable is probably well past its expiration date.
About the author
Peter Krala is an independent candidate for West Haven City Council; his selection was not public expense.
