Please help me understand something

[Andy823]

I keep hearing people, Bernie Sanders included, that you can't pick a party in Vermont, that's why he is an independent. So the why do the other two members of congress from Vermont both have a D by their name and Bernie has an I.

I don't care what he is, I will still vote for him if he wins the nomination, but I can't understand this.

Here is a link:

http://www.contactingthecongress.org/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc2011&state=vt

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. 1) Because they chose to run as Democrats.

2) Because in Presidential primaries they must choose a party, and they chose Democrats.

[Thinkingabout]

2. Interesting since it can't be done, also Howard Dean ran as a Democrat, just more dancing.

[beam me up scottie]

3. Since what can't be done?

Perhaps you can explain how Vermonters can register as Democrats.

[Aerows]

10. Each state has their own rules.

In New York, you couldn't vote in the Primary past unless you were registered as a Democrat on October 9, 2015.

Source: http://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingDeadlines.html

Virginia has different rules including an oddball one that you have to have enough petitioned signatures to be on the ballot.

Don't even get me started about New Orleans where I grew up. Louisiana has around two laws and they *might* enforce them.

[beam me up scottie]

4. There is no party registration in Vermont.

[99th_Monkey]

5. If you are voting for Sanders

why the O'M moniker ?

[MH1]

7. "... if he wins the nomination."

It's right there in the OP.

It may be that the poster, like me, really likes O'Malley but understands there's a good chance someone else will be the nominee, and wants to be clear they'll vote for the nominee.

[99th_Monkey]

8. Cool. nt

[Andy823]

11. Exactly

There is a lot at stake, and letting a republican back in the WH is not on my agenda.

[Live and Learn]

6. They can call themselves whatever they want in Vermont (no registration necessary - talk

about freedom). Bernie now calls himself a Democrat. I don't see why it matters at all. I care about values not labels and in that department Bernie wins.

[Aerows]

9. To fall under the tenets of the Democratic party

you have to declare your intention to run for a specific office, and explicitly state your candidacy.

That is what happens in my state. Every State has different protocols.

I know that didn't really answer your question, but there really isn't a monolithic answer to your question.