GOP courts independents; why don’t Dems?
Registered independents can choose to vote Republican or Democrat in the Arizona’s Aug. 4 primary.
You’d think the parties and candidates would be tripping over each other to court those 1.2 million registered independents, a third of the state’s electorate.
But they’re not — at least not with me as one of those independents. I find it astonishing that only the Republican Party and some Republican candidates called my home and texted
with all sorts of information and asking me to vote “conservative.”
What about the Democrats? Not a single text or phone call courting my vote. Do they think I’d automatically choose a Democratic ballot, or don’t they care about my vote? Either way, it doesn’t augur well — not when so much is at stake.
Nothing less than the future of Arizona is on the line. The state Legislature, a U.S. Senate seat and all sorts of other local races, including Maricopa County attorney and the Corporation Commission, are up for grabs.
But wait.
My race and where I live might explain why Democrats have ignored me as a voter. I’m a Latina who lives in south Phoenix, a predominantly Hispanic and African American area that leans Democratic.
Republicans don’t have much of a chance in south Phoenix, plus this is a primary. So, Democrats aren’t wasting their time and money with folks like me. Big mistake.
Voters want to feel courted and feel part of something. Taking segments of the voting population or areas for granted only discourages participation.
I cast my ballot over the weekend at a polling location in the Biltmore mall in north central Phoenix. I thought the texts would stop.
But no. I’m now getting messages urging me to tell my friends and family to vote “conservative.”
Why would the Republican Party still target me, given my background and where I live? It tells me Republicans will fight for my vote – every vote – whether they care about me or not.
It might be too late for this primary. But Democrats better step up if they want to win over independents and minorities in November. Taking these segments of the voting population for granted could be disastrous for Democrats.
Ballots must be received by county election officials by 7 p.m. on Aug. 4. That means the last recommended day to mail in early ballots, July 29, has passed. Those who waited now must vote in-person or drop off their ballot through July 31 or on Election Day.