December 31 Is Deadline To Switch Your Political Party Affiliation

What’s that you say? You’re a registered Republican, but you’re getting tired of being associated with the “Just Say No” obstructionists in congress? Or, you’re a lifelong Democrat, and you’re embarrassed that your golfing buddies rag you about your party being taken over by Marxist loonies? Or, you think both major political parties are addicted to taxes and war, and want your political affiliation to reflect your independent thinking? Well, now’s the time to change your voter registration.

If citizens want to change their party registration in time to participate in their party’s primary election next spring, they must do so by December 31, 2017; otherwise, they might miss out on their chance. Kentucky state law requires any citizen who wishes to change his voter registration and also vote in that party’s upcoming primary election must be registered with his new party by December 31st of the preceding year. The deadline also affects candidates who wish to switch political party affiliation and run in their new party's primary election or those seeking ballot access as an independent.

Those who wish to change their party can complete a voter registration card and submit it to the county clerk in their county of residence by the deadline. Due to the holiday season, please be sure to check with your local county clerk for times that their offices will be open. Registration cards that are mailed must be postmarked by December 31, 2017. Voter registration cards are available at county clerks' offices or on the Vote! Kentucky website, located at https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Your iLocalNews reporter is a registered Democrat. When grandfather McAdam came to this country from Scotland in 1926, he got a job on the railroad. The first thing he did was join the union; and the second was to register Democrat. He thought FDR was the Second Coming of Christ. Dad, who grew up during the Depression, knew FDR wasn’t divine, but still thought he hung the moon and stars. In 1951, I was the only kid on my block who’s dad didn’t like IKE.

When I turned 18, I registered Democrat and got myself elected committeeman and precinct captain. For more than 20 years, I worked in just about every federal, state, and local election; supporting Democratic candidates. I thought Republicans were the spawn of Satan. Over the years, however, this “Yellow Dog Democrat” has slowly evolved into something closer to a Blue Dog Democrat. I have never openly supported a Republican candidate, but my votes are best kept between me and God.

Lots of well-reasoned folks decide to change political party affiliation. Moderate liberal Joe Lieberman felt the Democrats were getting too leftist, and changed his registration to Independent. Bernie Sanders thought the Democrats were way too conservative for his taste, and became a Socialist.

Back in 1947, a group of genuine liberals such as Hubert Humphrey, Eleanor Roosevelt, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., John Kenneth Galbraith, and Louisville’s own Wilson Wyatt, got together to form Americans for Democratic Action. Their not-so-secret agenda was to purge the Democratic Party of the commies and radical socialists who had infiltrated the party of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. Leftists like Henry Wallace and Alger Hiss were edged out of the Democratic Party.

But the Marxist monster never really died; its grip on the party is now stronger than ever. Hubert, Eleanor, and Wilson are long gone, and it remains for a new generation of genuine liberals to purge the Democratic Party of the destructive commies, fascists, fellow-travelers (Lenin called them “useful idiots”) and assorted eco-crazys who have taken control.

Your iLocalNews reporter is way too long in the tooth to help out much in any such needed purge. But when the Democrats finally crash and burn, I hope to be around to help pick up the pieces.