To Sign or not to sign the All Voters Vote Petition. By Geniusofdespair

I am torn on whether to sign the All Voters Vote Petition which allows all voters in Florida (not just people in the particular party) to vote in the other party's primary. Independents would finally have a vote and Democrats could vote for Republicans.

I would have to give up my hope that Donald Trump becomes the nominee if this were in effect. What this petition would do is dilute the nitwits of the both parties so a more viable candidate would end up as the final candidate.  That would mean if Republicans or Democrats made a concerted effort, they could scuttle a good candidate from the other party.  That could be very bad.

The petition, of course, would hurt Democrats and help Republicans in this particular election because they have so many screwball candidates (but it would not be in effect this election). And, being one of the nitwits with an eye on Trump, it would certainly hurt me.  Let's discuss the pros and cons of this petition (aiming for the 2016 election) in comments. Would you sign it?

Here is the petition summary, it is not going to be any fun unless there are presidential candidates included, can you amend it?

• "Replaces closed political party primaries for congressional and state partisan elective offices with primaries where all qualified registered voters may vote regardless of party affiliation of the voter or candidate. Qualified candidates appear on one ballot. The top two vote getters per office advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. Candidates nominated by a party appear on the ballot as that party’s nominee; other candidates may indicate their party preference on the ballot.”

Lawyer Gene Stearns, leading the effort on the petition drive, took the time to leave this comment to alleviate some of our fears:

Thanks to Ellen Friedin and the many others who have worked tirelessly for so many years to bring us a Constitutional standard for districting that precludes those drawn to favor parties or incumbents, and thanks to a Supreme Court with the strength of purpose to enforce it, districts will be drawn to rationally reflect geographical constraints. No matter how the districts are drawn, however, natural population distribution will result in urban districts having a higher percentage of Democrats than the less populated Republican districts. Today 55% of all new voters are registering as no party affiliation and, by the time of the next census will make up the largest political group in the State. They care enough to register but are eliminating themselves from election to the Congress and legislature. A system that assures a favorable outcome for one side or the other is inherently undemocratic. In a top two system with all voters voting, the winner will have to look at the entire constituency as his or her employers instead of the fringes of the existing parties. No system is perfect. The existing system exceeds tolerable limits of imperfection.

 Gene, thank you for helping our readers to make an informed decision. I can't stand the Republican District Drawing Guru - Miguel DeGrandy. He is one pain in the ass.

Miguel DeGrandy drawing districts favorable to Republicans.