Political freedom is one of the great hallmarks of liberty. Unfortunately, from time to time, politicians work to erode this freedom for their own advantage. Here in Virginia, in the 2017 General Assembly session, the state government will soon be considering SB 902, a bill which would force Virginians to register by political party (or declare them as independents if they refrain from doing so).
We believe that in a free society the government has no legitimate role to create or maintain membership lists in private organizations, such as political parties. In the past, such lists have been used in other countries and even the United States of America to single out individuals for harassment, denial of employment opportunities, and even imprisonment or exile in more totalitarian regimes.
Registering by political party in Virginia will not enhance the liberty of the citizens of the Commonwealth, but rather allows political parties the opportunity to restrict participation in their nominating contests, a process currently publicly funded by all Virginia taxpayers. Although this plan may enhance the political power of the leaders of the two major political parties, it comes at the expense of allowing for greater political competition and it weakens the power and choices of the average voter.
Therefore, we the undersigned oppose SB 902 and we call upon our elected officials in the House of Delegates, Virginia Senate, and our governor to help defeat this bill.
Updates
December 29, 2016
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed by the momentum behind this because I never imagined so many people would feel this way. This shift in energy belongs to all of you who decided to step up and speak out against this bill. It is truly humbling to see such a strong response to this issue.
23 Comments
The two party duopoly doesn't need to be supplementing its already self-serving backdoor gerrymandering protection racket.
I am a registered voter in Chesterfield County and I DO VOTE. I DO NOT SUPPORT REGISTRATION BY PARTY IN VIRGINIA!!
The civil government, at any level, has no business regulating political parties. That is equivalent to being the "civilized" or "legal" way of surpressing political opposition (I.e. regulating third parties who do not meet the qualifications) and or having more government oversight of the primary nomination process when those matters ought to reside expressly within the people.
It is not a function of government to coerce people into ddclaring a political party affiliation. Nor should government data bank such information.
This is an unacceptable attempt to consolidate and control the political process in the state of Virginia.
NJ DID THIS AS A DEMOCRAT U MUST ONLY DO DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES AND SAME FOR REPUBLICAS. IF INDEPENDENT LIBERTARIAN GREEN CONSTITUION PARTY U WILL OTHER VOTE ONEWAY OR ANOTHER OR U WONT VOTE IN PRIMARIES AND ITS A TRACKER FOR YOUR HABITS OF VOTING...OPPOSE THIS BILL
Freedom!
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Political freedom is one of the great hallmarks of liberty. Unfortunately, from time to time, politicians work to erode this freedom for their own advantage. Here in Virginia, in the 2017 General Assembly session, the state government will soon be considering SB 902, a bill which would force Virginians to register by political party (or declare them as independents if they refrain from doing so).
We believe that in a free society the government has no legitimate role to create or maintain membership lists in private organizations, such as political parties. In the past, such lists have been used in other countries and even the United States of America to single out individuals for harassment, denial of employment opportunities, and even imprisonment or exile in more totalitarian regimes.
Registering by political party in Virginia will not enhance the liberty of the citizens of the Commonwealth, but rather allows political parties the opportunity to restrict participation in their nominating contests, a process currently publicly funded by all Virginia taxpayers. Although this plan may enhance the political power of the leaders of the two major political parties, it comes at the expense of allowing for greater political competition and it weakens the power and choices of the average voter.
Therefore, we the undersigned oppose SB 902 and we call upon our elected officials in the House of Delegates, Virginia Senate, and our governor to help defeat this bill.
Updates
December 29, 2016
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed by the momentum behind this because I never imagined so many people would feel this way. This shift in energy belongs to all of you who decided to step up and speak out against this bill. It is truly humbling to see such a strong response to this issue.
23 Comments
Virginia, it's none of your business what Party I align with, and there is NO non-nefarious reason to require this. Quit squelching our freedom to suit your agenda.
The two party duopoly doesn't need to be supplementing its already self-serving backdoor gerrymandering protection racket.
I am a registered voter in Chesterfield County and I DO VOTE. I DO NOT SUPPORT REGISTRATION BY PARTY IN VIRGINIA!!
The civil government, at any level, has no business regulating political parties. That is equivalent to being the "civilized" or "legal" way of surpressing political opposition (I.e. regulating third parties who do not meet the qualifications) and or having more government oversight of the primary nomination process when those matters ought to reside expressly within the people.
It is not a function of government to coerce people into ddclaring a political party affiliation. Nor should government data bank such information.
This is an unacceptable attempt to consolidate and control the political process in the state of Virginia.
NJ DID THIS AS A DEMOCRAT U MUST ONLY DO DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES AND SAME FOR REPUBLICAS. IF INDEPENDENT LIBERTARIAN GREEN CONSTITUION PARTY U WILL OTHER VOTE ONEWAY OR ANOTHER OR U WONT VOTE IN PRIMARIES AND ITS A TRACKER FOR YOUR HABITS OF VOTING...OPPOSE THIS BILL
Freedom!
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Virginia, it's none of your business what Party I align with, and there is NO non-nefarious reason to require this. Quit squelching our freedom to suit your agenda.