Nance: Tuesday's Primary No Exercise In Futility

Op. note: a similar missive was sent by Rep. Mike Kelley on 6 February 2012, 13:01p.

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"Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote.” –William E. Simon

Tomorrow, citizens across Missouri will go to the polls to vote in the presidential primary election. And, while this year’s primary is nonbinding, it is still an opportunity for you to have a say in who should be the presidential nominee.

As DeForest Soaries once said, “Voting is the foundational act that breathes life into the principle of the consent of the governed.” All power in government is derived from the citizens of this great land, and voting is the way you give that consent. This week, you will have your chance to raise your voice in choosing the direction of our country.

There has been a lot of news lately calling this year’s primary an exercise in futility. However, they are misguided. As someone who is fairly active in politics, I know that I will be paying close attention to the outcome of the primary.

Your vote is important and your voice in the process matters. Let the rest of America know who Missouri wants as the presidential nominee. Please take the time to vote in the primary on Feb. 7.

Political parties in Missouri will rely on the outcome of caucuses, rather than the presidential primary, in regard to the distribution of delegates. This was prompted by new rules from the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee requiring states to move their binding nominating contests to March 2012 or later. Failure to comply with these rules resulted in the loss of half of Missouri’s delegates at the national convention.

The Legislature passed SB 282, but ultimately Governor Nixon vetoed the legislation that would have moved the presidential preference primary from February into March.

The GOP now plans to stage its caucuses on Saturday, March 17. Democrats will meet in “mass meetings” on Thursday, March 29.

While the primary will have no bearing on the division of delegates, any Democrat who wants to participate in a mass meeting must vote in the Feb. 7 primary election. Republicans do not face that requirement. Any registered voter who declares that they are a Republican can participate in the caucus in the county in which they are registered.”

Ultimately, the primary’s estimated cost to the state will be between $6 million and $8 million.

In the District

I attended the Northwest Missouri Legislative Forum with the Northwest Association of Secondary School Principals, February 3^rd.