Massachusetts – 50.34% of Unenrolled Voters?

An interesting statistic regarding the electorate in Massachusetts: in 2004 the political party designation showed the following:
Of the 4,098,634 total registered voters 1,526,711 were registered Democrat, 532,319 were registered Republican, 2,000,062 were designated Unenrolled and the balance were of another party affiliation. Reference Mass. Secretary of State.

The latest figures show a modest change: ( PDF download and other voter information available click here) out of 4,011,551 total enrolled 1,476,133 are registered Democrat, 486,188 are registered Republican, 2,019,368 are registered as Unenrolled with the balance of another party affiliation.

It should be noted that both major parties lost enrollment (Democrats lost 50,578 voters while Republicans lost, 46,131 registered voters, there was a shift to alternative and unenrolled voter status.) Therefore, the makeup of the state electorate, although touted as heavily Democrat by the media and the party, can actually be classified as “up for grabs” during a general election. Which begs the question: Will the RNC, who undoubtedly has access to these figures, finally turn their attention to the Massachusetts electorate and make a concerted effort to gain both house and senate seats? How vulnerable is John Kerry is Massachusetts? Additionally, are other “blue states” any different?


Kerry Democrat Opponent Ed O’Reilly on NECN “Kerry has no passion on any issue”

Nathan Bech (R) Challenges Olver for 1st Congressional District (MA)

Nathan Bech

Nathan Bech is challenging John Olver’s Congressional seat this year. Olver has held this seat for the past 17 years and epitomizes Massachusetts Progressive politics exported nationally. The 1st Congressional District is the largest district in the state of Massachusetts in area, and includes the noteworthy cities of Northampton and Amherst (often dubbed by locals as NoHo and The People’s Republic of Amherst). Those two areas, in particular make up Olver’s core constituency. The rest of district is fairly grounded in reality (considering this is Massachusetts). Bech lists his top priorities as the economy, healthcare and Iraq, with environment, education, immigration, taxes, government waste, energy, second amendment, national security, veterans and the sanctity of life to follow. Note: he takes a strong conservative, yet moderate stand on all issues and is worth consideration: pro-choice, border control, simplified taxes and cutting taxes for the middle class, and of specific interest to this household, tax credits for parents choosing to enroll children in parochial or private schools. To learn more about Nathan Bech and his stand on the issues, go to: NathanBech.com

Some interesting statistic on the makeup of the Massachusetts Electorate: From the Cape Code Times a listing by Cape county (a slightly progressive part of the state) shows that the unerolled in the state make up more than 50% of the electorate. A great deal will depend on the state's unenrolled in 2008 - should they vote moderately, those congressional and senate seats currently being challenged could, if supported by the party, export Massachusetts conservatism to the nation - for a change.