Louisiana's Presidential Preference Primary is coming up.
Here's what you need to know.
The Presidential Preference Primary is scheduled
for Saturday, April 4, 2020.
If you are registered Green (or Independent, Libertarian, No
Party, or Other) you won't be able to vote in this primary.
It's just about the only time where being Green keeps you from being
able to vote. Most of our primaries are open "jungle" primaries, but
not this one. It is a closed, private affair, for members only.
Greens like to maximize their participation in democracy. It's
especially frustrating because the Green Party does have a
nominating process which is underway now. (More about that below.)
Because we have fewer that 40,000 registered party members in
Louisiana, the state doesn't run a primary for us. Only the Democrats
and Republicans get that treatment — though all of us taxpayers fund
it.
A number of Greens have asked about switching party registration
in order to participate in the Presidential Prefernce Primary. While
we can't endorse such a strategy, we do feel obliged to inform our
members that it's easy and relatively painless. You can do it online
before March 14th. You'll need your driver's license. Just remember to
change your registration back to Green after the primary!
(Please note that on April 4 there will also be local races on
the ballot in 24 parishes. All registered voters can
participate.)