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It's always kind of fun to see Delaware Demopublicans claiming that the State doesn't provide them special advantages

Which they do, fairly often.

Just browsing Chapter 33 of the Delaware Code, we find that the words "Democratic" and "Republican" have been declared completely off-limits for all other parties for all time.

No "Democratic Socialist Workers Party" permitted in Delaware.

In fact, Thomas Jefferson's "Democratic-Republican" party would have been illegal here, too.

The Code:
(a) The certificates of nomination shall designate a title for the party which the convention or committee represents, together with any simple figure or device by which its lists of candidates may be designated on the ballot. The figure or title or device selected and designated by the state conventions or committee of any party shall be used by that party throughout this State. Only 1 figure or device shall be used by a party at any election. The same title, figure or device shall not be used by more than 1 party, and the party first certifying a name, title, figure or device to the county departments of elections shall have prior right to use the same, and provided further that the Democratic Party and the Republican Party shall have exclusive use of such title and no other party shall use the word "Democratic" or "Republican" or any variation thereof in its title. Such figure or device may be the figure of a star, an eagle, a plow, or some such appropriate symbol, but the coat of arms or seal of this State or of the United States or the flag of the United States or of this State shall not be used as such figure or device.
Nah, no special privileges.  It's all about the superiority of the message, yah know?

Hypocrites.

Comments

tom said…
Don't forget that members of 3rd parties are excluded from appointment to the county Boards of Elections by § 202 (a) and § 203 (a) of Title 15
July 12, 2012 at 3:38 PM
kavips said…
I'm confused. I see some advantages. Let us say a Republican candidate wanted to run in Wilmington. He could file as a third party, and his party could be called

Democratic.

(the dot at the end is what makes it different.) Considering the mentality of many voters, that could make things difficult especially in the election of an at large seat.

And, considering the smegma attached to both party's names, I'm not sure it would impart the advantage one might wish, such as the Democratic Conservative Party or the Republican Socialists.

I will go out on the limb and say you are arguing a moot point here. :)

Better stick to the Johnsons....
July 12, 2012 at 6:51 PM
tom said…
That is a Straw Man.

Said Republican could already change his party affiliation to Democrat (without the dot), file for the primary and have a far better chance with less effort and expense.

Qualifying a third party for ballot access is a lot of hard work even when it's a legitimate Party as opposed to the obvious subterfuge you propose.
July 12, 2012 at 7:02 PM
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