The polls opened in most of southeastern New York at 6 AM and at Noon in the rest of the state due to some antiquated law that no one can rationally explain. NY is a closed primary, so you must be registered as a Democrat or Republican to vote. New voters had until March 25 to register but voters already registered needed to declare or change their party affiliation in October of last year in order to participate.
Registered Democrats have a choice between Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, no write ins. They will also choose a slate of delegates who will be committed to one of the two candidates. In my district, there was a choice of 10 delegates, evenly split between the two candidates. Mixing and matching is allowed.
The Republicans get to vote for four candidates, businessman Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Dr. Ben Carson who is still on the ballot even though he has withdrawn. Republican delegates will be chosen later at local county-level meetings. Each congressional district has three delegates who will be awarded to the candidates based on the percentage of votes they receive in each district. Only if the candidate wins 50% of the district vote will he be awarded all three delegates.
Every party has their own rules that can be changed in secret and without notice, just like playing Calvinball
Other kids’ games are all such a bore!
They’ve gotta have rules and they gotta keep score!
Calvinball is better by far!
It’s never the same! It’s always bizarre!
You don’t need a team or a referee!
You know that it’s great, ’cause it’s named after me!
It’s almost over but for the whining and gnashing of teeth. The last primaries are in June. Then it’s on to the conventions.
Be back in a few with results.
Up Date 9:00: The polls have closed. The Democratic race is too early to call and, as expected, Donald Drumpf has been declared the Republican victor.
Up Date 9:35: Live discussion at Young Turks
Up Date 9:44: CNN and MSNBC are declaring Hillary Clinton the winner of the NY primary.
The delegate count numbers won’t be available for a couple of days.